Project Location:Topolobampo, State of Sinaloa, México
Client: Ingeniería y Puertos S.A. - IPSA
Grupo ICA - Ingenieros Civiles Asociados
Dates: 1990

The general contractor for the first container terminal wharf in the Port of Topolobampo, Pacific Coast, México, encountered several problems after the installation of over 400 reinforced concrete piles. Associates of LCR&A were consulted to determine the event that caused a general displacement of the head of the driven piles, the effect of the new pile geometry on the superstructure and for the normal operation of the overhead cranes, and the recommendation of any possible solution. Studies of the group of piles, laterally filled soils, soil-structure interaction problem using finite differences, and flat-slab systems using finite elements were performed. All these were done under a tight schedule since the construction operations continued during the project evaluation. A final report that included an alternative solution was presented to the client.