GEI’s multi-disciplinary team of engineers, permitting experts, and scientists have performed due diligence and preliminary design for site improvements at a confidential offshore wind site in New England.

The due diligence assessment and preliminary design of repairs included: site investigation including bathymetric and magnetometer surveys; bulkhead inspection by in-house GEI engineer-divers; structural condition assessment for proposed loadings; preliminary design for upland and waterfront upgrades required to meet heavy-load demands during transition-piece staging; and site feasibility assessment for transition to an O&M facility.

GEI conducted the existing conditions assessment for the current bulkhead and existing loading platform. The preliminary design cost-effectively integrated a high-load platform with the existing platform structures, and GEI designed an efficient ground improvement approach that will serve the client’s needs during the Transition Piece (TP) Assembly. The design approach allows ready conversion to the Operations and Maintenance phase of the site operations by integrating key elements such as a sustainable stormwater infiltration approach and pre-designing utility corridors to minimize future environmental cap disturbance. GEI also reviewed the proposed bulkhead improvements.

The GEI Team prepared preliminary designs for the bulkhead improvements, crane load platform, ground improvements, site grading, site utilities, and site security. A comprehensive report was prepared including basis of design and preliminary designs with costs for the project. The report included assessment of the requirements for the O&M phase-out of this site. The entire team is locally based and highly experienced at designing port facilities and understands the challenges of designing high-load structures and ground improvements in historically developed waterfront settings.

The project is now expected to advance through final design and construction.