scope:

This guide primarily covers marine structures used for berthing marine vessels in protected harbors, and for supporting the associated loads. Structures covered by this guide include pile-supported platforms, bulkheads, and gravity structures. It is not intended to cover marine structures such as gravity block walls, tunnels, breakwaters, floating structures, or offshore platforms. Emphasis is placed on special considerations for marine concrete and guidance for the design and construction of marine structures. Because of the severe nature of the marine environment and associated loading conditions, certain recommendations in this report are intended to complement the requirements of ACI 318.

Existing design guides are used for basic concepts, loadings, marine hardware, and other criteria that affect the use of concrete in marine structures. There are some comprehensive manuals that cover functional and structural guidelines for the design of coastal marine structures (MILHDBK- 1025 2006; BS 6349-1 to 8; Goda et al. 2009; EAU 2004; Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation 2007; Werner 1998; FEMA P-55 2011.