An Investigation Of New Methods For The Maintenance Dredging Of Pier Slips And An Investigation Of Selected Dredging Problems In Us Navy Connected Harbors

The research undertaken in this grant was divided into three parts. One part concerned new dredging methods of low capacity where use is confined to a small area such as a pier slip. The second part concerned evaluating the problem of accretion of sediments in Pier 12 at the U.S. Naval Base at Norfolk, Va., and the problem of the disposal of dredge spoil resulting from channel deepening in the Thames River at New London Submarine Base. The third part was to outline a lecture on dredging methods and problems for use at the U.S. Navy Civil Engineering School at Port Hueneme, Calif. Owing to the expense and awkwardness of utilizing the conventional methods of dredging (hopper dredge, pipeline dredge, bucket and barge) for maintaining pier slips, it is desirable to use a more convenient and more economical method. Six methods of possible use in coping with the sedimentation problem at U.S. Navy pier slips were evaluated. These are: (1) agitation dredging; (2) Pneuma system of dredging; (3) dredging system utilizing educators; (4) Dixie dredge; (5) Mudcat dredging system; and (6) Marconoflo slurry system.