A.H. Beck teams up with McCarthy Building Company to expand the Port of Houston’s Bayport Container Terminal, enhancing the wharf to accommodate larger ships and increase container volume.
The Wharf 6 expansion at the Bayport Container Terminal, Seabrook, Texas, marked a significant undertaking in modernizing maritime infrastructure. As the contracted partner for McCarthy Building Company, A.H. Beck showcased its expertise in constructing 354 42-inch drilled shafts for the new wharf.
The project involved the secure placement of 80-foot-long permanent casings in 50 feet of water, using innovative techniques such as constructing shafts under bentonite slurry and using barge-mounted crane-attached drilling rigs on 160 to 200-ton cranes. This unique approach enabled the new 1,000-foot-long wharf to accommodate the latest generation of container cranes, thereby increasing the terminal’s efficiency in loading and unloading larger ships.
The Wharf 6 expansion project at the Bayport Container Terminal was an endeavor of substantial magnitude and complexity. Installation of 354 42-inch drilled shafts ranging from 105 to 186 feet in depth was an intricate part of this mission.
Additionally, positioning 80-foot-long permanent casings in 50 feet of water was a demanding task that required precision and expertise. Coordinating operations of two drill rig setups on the water and integrating with ongoing activities at the busy Port of Houston added another layer of complexity to the project.
- Installing 354 42-inch drilled shafts ranging from 105 to 186 feet in depth
- Positioning 80-foot-long permanent casings in 50 feet of water
- Coordinating operations of two drilling setups on the water
- Integrating with ongoing activities at the busy Port of Houston
A.H. Beck deployed barge-mounted crane-attached drill rigs on 160 to 200-ton cranes, which enabled accurate positioning of shafts in challenging conditions. We leveraged our own fleet of spoil and material barges supported by the tugs “Miss Becky” and “Mr. Curtis,” which was pivotal in ensuring smooth operations.
The team also demonstrated their technical competence by using 275-ton service cranes to lift the 190-foot-long rebar cages. Effective coordination with the McCarthy Building Company and the Port of Houston Authority was crucial in delivering the project successfully.
