Pier 17 Replacement at the New London Naval Submarine Base
New London, Connecticut

DMJM+HARRIS provided schematic, preliminary, final design, construction support, and post-construction engineering services for a pier replacement and shore improvements project at this submarine base on the Thames River. The project focused on a 550-foot-long by 80-foot-wide single-deck pier supported by 36-inch-diameter pipe piles that were socketed into rock at the inshore end of the pier (to meet seismic loading criteria). The pier will accommodate the ARDM-1 Floating Dry Dock, which is capable of drydocking an SSN21-Class submarine on one side and two berthed, nested, SSN637- or SSN688-Class submarines on the other side.

Included in the project is the relocation of ARD-5 Floating Dry Dock from Pier 17 to Pier 15; demolition of Pier 17; dredging to 48 feet under the ARDM-1; mechanical and electrical services for the pier, the floating drydock (FDD), and the unit in FDD; and extension of onshore utility lines to Pier 17. Since construction pile-driving records were available for the 50-year-old pier, we limited our site investigations to 13 borings, which ranged in depth from 65 feet to 180 feet. A soils report was also prepared, incorporating boring logs, laboratory testing results, engineering parameters, geologic profiles, a bedrock and alluvium contour map, and foundation design recommendations. We were also responsible for determining a method and location for disposal of dredged material; the approach we developed complies with local, state, and federal laws and regulations, and with the environmental impact statement prepared for this project.