Steelpointe Harbor Hale Pier
Pile Type H3807, H2607, H1707 epoxy coated steel
sheet pile Timber ASTM D25, CCA Treated
Hammers Used ICE 50B & APE 200 Vibratory MKT 9B3 Double Acting Impact
Crabe Used Liebherr 853 (land based) Manitowoc
12000 (barge mounted) Manitowoc 11000 (barge mounted)
Lead Types None Offshore leads
Test pile program Soil Test Borings only
Production Pile
Quantity 700 doubles 125
The project consists of a 1,500-foot-long steel sheet pile bulkhead
designed to follow the curvature of the future development
and waterfront public access boardwalk, while providing protection
from erosion and flood damage. Complications associated
with this geometric design were met with innovative and
pragmatic solutions by the RACE team. These included a design
curvature to fit within tolerances of steel sheet pile knuckles, and
a unique cast-in-place concrete structural system that was fully
customizable in the field to accommodate the design.
“The completed project has allowed for the development of
waterfront access promenades and facilities to this previously
inaccessible area,” said Santa. “This has provided a critical connection
for the people of Bridgeport and visitors to the area to
enjoy the beauty of Bridgeport Harbor and access to the waters
of Long Island Sound.”
The Fort Hale Pier in New Haven was closed to the public
after complete destruction by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
deemed the structure a hazard and funding was secured to
restore it. RACE was contracted by the City of New Haven to
design a new storm-resilient, ADA-compliant fishing pier.
“City and state funding agencies required the replacement
pier be designed to the ‘100-year storm,’ as defined by FEMA,” said
Santa. “Since fishing is the primary use of the pier, our team had
to prepare a design that balanced storm resiliency and access. In
other words, we could not maximize freeboard as much as we
would have liked since a highly elevated pier would not be conducive
to fishing during normal tide cycles. Accordingly, the pier
framing had to be designed for direct wave impacts.”
RACE’s coastal engineers performed specialized numerical
wave modeling to determine site-specific parameters of the 100-
year storm and, in turn, developed hydrodynamic load conditions
on the pier’s structural elements.
“The soil conditions precluded piles reaching optimal tip
elevations so the wave uplift forces on the structure would likely
require tension anchors,” said Santa. “The installation of anchors
added a significant cost to the project such that a pile tension
testing program was developed. In developing a program to test
88 | ISSUE 3 2021 www.piledrivers.org
Soil Test Borings
Axial Tension Test on production piles per
ASTM D3689
the piles we were able to eliminate the installation of additional
anchors, saving the city nearly 15 percent of the project’s cost,
which was then used for additional public amenities.”
The RACE team worked closely with the city during all phases
of the project to develop a cost-effective, sustainable design
that met the community’s needs. Throughout the construction
phase, RACE collaborated with the contractor and completed
the project within the designated timeframe and well under the
allocated budget.
“The project budget was $1.8 million, and it was completed
for $1.35 million,” said Santa. “The use of a pile tension testing
program, in lieu of using additional steel anchors, was a key component
in our ability to remain so significantly under budget.”
The pandemic and the future
It’s no secret that COVID-19 has certainly changed the playing
field for many companies in this field.
“It has challenged us to adapt to the current and ever-evolving
situation,” said Santa. “I cannot give enough credit to our team
for so quickly and effectively shifting gears from a collaborative
Standout Projects at a Glance
Corporate Structure
Formed 21 years ago by John Roberge, RACE Coastal
Engineering is based in Stratford, Conn.
Led by Devin Santa as president, Santa joined company
founder Roberge in 2000 as the company was just
getting started and became a partner soon thereafter.
Santa has been in the role of president since 2011. The
management team of RACE includes vice president
Azure Dee Sleicher and project managers Chris Eggers,
Jill Pietropaolo, Matthew Rakowski and Steve Sternberg.
Today, RACE has a team of 16, including 10 licensed
professional engineers. Eight of the company’s licensed
engineers have advanced degrees or certificates specific
to coastal engineering.
PDCA ENGINEERING AFFILIATE MEMBER