Fugro’s Geo-data is helping to protect the Port of San Francisco’s seawall, which was built more than 100 years ago on reclaimed land and forms the foundation of the city’s north-eastern waterfront.
Walnut Creek, California, USA, 15 April 2021 – Fugro has completed a geotechnical site characterisation, earthquake hazard and geotechnical vulnerability assessment for the Port of San Francisco’s multi-year, multi-billion dollar Waterfront Resilience Program. The work was conducted over a period of 3 years as part of a multi-hazard risk assessment (MHRA) to identify immediate and long-term hazards, such as those associated with earthquakes, flooding and sea-level rise. As the port’s lead geotechnical engineer for future programme phases, Fugro will use the MHRA inputs to develop and design optimal retrofit solutions for the port’s ageing seawall.
The 5 km seawall was built more than 100 years ago and forms the foundation of San Francisco’s Northeast Waterfront, which houses a critical mix of open spaces, tourist attractions, businesses, utilities, disaster response facilities, transportation networks, and state and regional maritime assets. The seawall’s age and proximity to two major active faults makes the waterfront especially vulnerable to earthquakes and flooding.
Fugro’s approach to the MHRA emphasised two key goals: reducing the uncertainty in the ground conditions for improved safety and minimising potential overengineering of seawall retrofit solutions for maximum cost efficiencies. These goals were accomplished through a targeted, high-quality geotechnical field campaign, development of a robust 3D ground model, and the use of innovative dynamic soil structure interaction analyses to confidently evaluate the seawall’s seismic stability. The result was a reliable, rather than conservative, vulnerability assessment which will allow the port to make informed funding decisions on retrofit design and construction.
Thaleia Travasarou, Consulting Manager for Fugro in the Americas, said: “The MHRA was a huge undertaking, and Fugro is pleased to have contributed with delivery of our Geo-data and expertise that will help guide future resilience decisions. We are thrilled to be continuing our work with the port during the next programme phases, helping to secure the city’s coastal infrastructure for safe and sustainable operations over the long-term.”
About Fugro
Fugro is the world’s leading Geo-data specialist, collecting and analysing comprehensive information about the Earth and the structures built upon it. Adopting an integrated approach that incorporates acquisition and analysis of Geo-data and related advice, Fugro provides solutions. With expertise in site characterisation and asset integrity, clients are supported in the safe, sustainable and efficient design, construction and operation of their assets throughout the full life cycle. Employing approximately 9000 talented people in 61 countries, Fugro serves clients around the globe, predominantly in the energy and infrastructure industries, both offshore and onshore. In 2020, revenue amounted to EUR 1.4 billion. Fugro is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
