Evaluation and Repair of War-Damaged Port Facilities. Report 2. Port Vulnerability, Pier and Wharf Repair and Storage Area Repair

Port facilities are potential targets for hostile forces. Ports can be expected to be attacked to render the facilities inoperative or to deny access to the facilities. Port repairs should be conducted as quickly as possible to restore war-damaged areas for the transfer of military supplies from support ships to shore facilities and inland. This report presents information and repair concepts for piers, wharves, storage areas, and hardstands that will ensure continuing port operations during emergencies caused by military conflicts. A port vulnerability analysis was conducted on a selected commercial and military port, and predictions were made to port facilities on damage resulting from an aerial general purpose bomb threat. Cast-in-place concrete, prefabricated concrete, and military bridging are identified and discussed as possible repairs for war-damaged piers and wharves. The span capability of aluminum extrusions was traffic tested and evaluated. The extrusion repair concept has the potential for repairing bomb-damaged pier and wharf decking. All airfield damage repairs were cataloged and analyzed, and applicable techniques and materials are presented as repairs to bomb-damaged storage areas and other facility pavements at ports. Keywords: Waterfront structures; Bomb damage; Post attack operations; Military operations; Piers/wharves; Port facilities repair; Port vulnerability; Storage areas; War-damaged port repairs