Location: Gulfport, Mississippi

Description: The 2006 Katrina Supplemental Community Development Block Grant Project at the Gulfport, Mississippi, Gulfship, LLC ship building facility consisted of 514 72-inch diameter soil/cement columns to provide the necessary axial and lateral support for the new ship launching platform. The subject foundation support was constructed with relatively little noise and vibration imparted to the operating factory. Due to the sites stiff clay upper stratum and shallow groundwater conditions, BECK elected to utilize the TCM method of installing the soil mix columns. Six additional soil borings were performed to develop the design and build column plan. A 150-ton load test (ASTM D-1143) was specified and completed on a production shaft and indicated the bearing capacity exceeded the design after a 12 hour hold time. The facility is performing as anticipated and the client was very pleased with the cooperation and performance of BECK such the work and operation of the shipyard was not interrupted.

Construction Manager: Boddin Enterprises, Inc.

General Contractor: E&L Enterprises, Inc.

Owner: Edison Chouest Offshore