RYDER and Pipeshield International Collaborate to Deliver Advanced Scour Protection Solution
RYDER and Pipeshield International, both esteemed business units of the Tekmar Group, have successfully collaborated on a prestigious project to provide scour protection for a new berth commissioned by a leading Port Authority. This partnership exemplifies the unique collaboration opportunities within the Tekmar Group, delivering unparalleled benefits to our customers.
Pipeshield International was contracted to design and implement a robust scour protection scheme for the new berth. To ensure the highest level of precision and effectiveness, Pipeshield enlisted the engineering support services of RYDER. Together, the teams worked seamlessly to develop and execute an optimal solution tailored to the project’s specific requirements.
To develop the appropriate design parameters for the mattress design, RYDER conducted a comprehensive Navigational and Tidal Study. This study aimed to corroborate tidal levels with vessel arrival times, revealing that the largest container vessels arrived during high tides. This critical finding indicated less propeller action at seabed level than initially assumed at minimum tidal levels, significantly influencing the scour protection design.
With accurate tidal levels and vessel sizes selected, RYDER proceeded to perform a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study, supported by hand calculations adhering to PIANC Guidelines. The CFD study demonstrated that the mattresses, reinforced with Pipeshield’s proprietary N2 edge block, would remain secure even under extreme conditions of combined tide and propeller action. These findings were further verified against previous flume tank testing, ensuring the reliability and stability of the protection scheme.
“Collaborating with Pipeshield International on this project has been an excellent example of how the combined expertise within the Tekmar Group can deliver exceptional results for our clients,” said Howard Curtis, Principle Geotechnical Engineer at RYDER. “Our integrated approach allowed us to develop a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solution, significantly reducing the embodied carbon of the scheme.”
The services provided by RYDER not only justified a reduced cost of scour protection for the Client but also contributed to a more sustainable approach with a reduced carbon footprint. This project underscores the significant advantages of leveraging the collaborative strengths of Tekmar Group companies to deliver innovative and efficient engineering solutions.