The new manual called “Old waterfront walls: management, maintenance and rehabilitation” will be launched by CIRIA on 23 October 2015 but is already available for free download.
It forms an update to the 1992 CIRIA publication Old Waterfront Walls and is intended for the owners and asset managers of masonry waterfront structures.
HR Wallingford’s lead author, Stephen Cork, said: “We updated this manual to reflect the developments across the industry since 1992, considering today’s focus on risk based asset management and advances in design methods, survey and analysis techniques.”
Since 1992, design standards have been amended, as other factors have become more significant or severe, such as vehicle loadings, climate change, wave patterns, weather extremes and other processes affecting performance. Techniques and materials for localised, small to medium scale and large scale repair and refurbishment have also advanced.
The new manual will help owners, asset managers, engineers and contractors to understand the fundamentals of historic waterfront wall design and construction techniques.
It also considers risk management, legislation and funding issues associated with the ownership of old waterfront walls, their functions, forms and failures and provides guidance on the management of waterfront walls.
Technical guidance, including performance assessment, risk attribution and recommendations for inspections, operations and maintenance of old waterfront walls are also included.
By Anne-Marie Causer
