Race Street Pier Inspection and Rehabilitation Design/Build
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
In 2009 W.J. Castle, P.E. & Associates, P.C. completed the in-depth underwater inspection of the existing pier located just south of the Ben Franklin Bridge. W.J. Castle developed plans and specifications for the rehabilitation of the Race Street Pier based upon the findings. The DRWC planed to transform the 80′ wide by 540′ long abandoned pier into a community park. The pier was originally constructed in the early 1900’s and the superstructure later rehabilitated in the 1930’s. The original timber pile and cap beams support a steel truss system which shows various areas of heavy deterioration.
W. J. CCastle was able to re-use approximately 90% of the original structural members of the pier in the rehab design, and thereby eliminating the need for new permits by staying within the original footprint of the pier. Castle’s design strengthened the existing members by simply rebuilding the deteriorated sections. Rehabilitation design was required on all materials that are part of the structure including; reinforced concrete deck, steel truss, timber cap beams, and timber piles. CASTLE completed the plans and specifications which were sent out to bid in April 2010.
CASTLE was also responsible for all design modifications to the repair details as required to accommodate any non-standard field conditions encountered.