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DESCRIPTION: New robust wharf structure that would replace the existing bulkhead wall & wharf and be strong and stiff enough to stabilize the rock dike. This will reduce lateral spreading ground displacements to The Embarcadero, but will not stop liquefaction of the Embarcadero fill.
SHORELINE STABILIZATION: TYPE: Structural
SHORELINE LOCATION: Nearshore
DESIGN LIFE:
ADAPTABILITY:
IMPACT ON THE WATERFRONT:
CONSTRUCTION COST:
75+ Years
Medium
Moderate Waterside Intervention
High
SEISMIC HAZARDS MITIGATED:
SEISMIC PERFORMANCE IMPROVED:
Lateral Spreading
Liquefaction
Structures
Utilities & Transportation
MEASURES COMPATIBILITY:
Flood
Seismic
Raised Marine Structures
Liquefaction Mitigation
Utility Retrofit
CONSIDERATIONS:
ADVANTAGES:
DISADVANTAGES:
The quantity and diameter of the piles would be defined by the depth of the Young Bay Mud and bedrock which varies along the waterfront.
Measure is less effective in areas of medium to deep Young Bay Mud.
Less construction impact to the Embarcadero and Promenade compared to landside shoreline stabilization measures.
Replaces deteriorated wharf structures. Can elevate wharf for future sea level rise protection.
Construction would require closure of waterfront buildings and relocation of tenants when the work occurs at an occupied pier.
Construction duration likely longer than other shoreline stabilization measures.
Does not mitigate liquefaction-induced settlements.
CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS TO THE PUBLIC:
SEA LEVEL RISE ADAPTATION OPPORTUNITIES:
Construction would require temporary relocation of waterfront buildings to allow demolition and reconstruction of the wharf below.
Impacts would be most noticeable to the occupants of the affected pier.
Most construction work would be done from the water-side of the seawall.
Impacts to users of the promenade and the Embarcadero would be limited.
New wharf could be placed at a higher elevation and could support a flood barrier at the wharf edge.
New wharf can be designed to be raised in the future.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS:
The quantity and diameter of the piles would be defined by the depth of the Young Bay Mud which varies along the waterfront.
Measure is not effective in areas of medium to deep Young Bay Mud.
Seismic joint needed at finger piers and shed.
Consider combining with Drilled Shaft measure to create a hybrid scheme.
SITE-SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS:
This measure is likely limited to the Fisherman's Wharf area and the northern end of the Embarcadero where the Young Bay Mud is shallow.
URBAN DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS:
Rebuilt wharf structures can be designed with improved materials and uses.
HISTORICAL RESOURCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Demolition of historic bulkhead wharves and portion of piers is required, loss of resources.
Historic pier-supported buildings would need to be removed temporarily during construction and replaced once the work is complete.
INSTALLATION AND CONSTRUCTABILITY CONSIDERATIONS:
Driving large steel piles through rock dike may require pre-drilling.
Pile driving through rock dike can be noisy.
Other Types of Seismic Measures:
Click the images and links below to explore other types of seismic measures.
DESCRIPTION: New robust wharf structure that would replace the existing bulkhead wall & wharf and be strong and stiff enough to stabilize the rock dike. This will reduce lateral spreading ground displacements to The Embarcadero, but will not stop liquefaction of the Embarcadero fill.
SHORELINE STABILIZATION: TYPE: Structural
SHORELINE LOCATION: Nearshore
DESIGN LIFE:
ADAPTABILITY:
IMPACT ON THE WATERFRONT:
CONSTRUCTION COST:
75+ Years
Medium
Moderate Waterside Intervention
High
SEISMIC HAZARDS MITIGATED:
SEISMIC PERFORMANCE IMPROVED:
Lateral Spreading
Liquefaction
Structures
Utilities & Transportation
MEASURES COMPATIBILITY:
Flood
Seismic
Raised Marine Structures
Liquefaction Mitigation
Utility Retrofit
CONSIDERATIONS:
ADVANTAGES:
DISADVANTAGES:
The quantity and diameter of the piles would be defined by the depth of the Young Bay Mud and bedrock which varies along the waterfront.
Measure is less effective in areas of medium to deep Young Bay Mud.
Less construction impact to the Embarcadero and Promenade compared to landside shoreline stabilization measures.
Replaces deteriorated wharf structures. Can elevate wharf for future sea level rise protection.
Construction would require closure of waterfront buildings and relocation of tenants when the work occurs at an occupied pier.
Construction duration likely longer than other shoreline stabilization measures.
Does not mitigate liquefaction-induced settlements.
CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS TO THE PUBLIC:
SEA LEVEL RISE ADAPTATION OPPORTUNITIES:
Construction would require temporary relocation of waterfront buildings to allow demolition and reconstruction of the wharf below.
Impacts would be most noticeable to the occupants of the affected pier.
Most construction work would be done from the water-side of the seawall.
Impacts to users of the promenade and the Embarcadero would be limited.
New wharf could be placed at a higher elevation and could support a flood barrier at the wharf edge.
New wharf can be designed to be raised in the future.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS:
The quantity and diameter of the piles would be defined by the depth of the Young Bay Mud which varies along the waterfront.
Measure is not effective in areas of medium to deep Young Bay Mud.
Seismic joint needed at finger piers and shed.
Consider combining with Drilled Shaft measure to create a hybrid scheme.
SITE-SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS:
This measure is likely limited to the Fisherman's Wharf area and the northern end of the Embarcadero where the Young Bay Mud is shallow.
URBAN DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS:
Rebuilt wharf structures can be designed with improved materials and uses.
HISTORICAL RESOURCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Demolition of historic bulkhead wharves and portion of piers is required, loss of resources.
Historic pier-supported buildings would need to be removed temporarily during construction and replaced once the work is complete.
INSTALLATION AND CONSTRUCTABILITY CONSIDERATIONS:
Driving large steel piles through rock dike may require pre-drilling.
Pile driving through rock dike can be noisy.
Other Types of Seismic Measures:
Click the images and links below to explore other types of seismic measures.
Thank you for learning about ways to strengthen the waterfront through the Measures Explorer! Please share your feedback on the Super Bulkhead Wharf measure.
Would you like to see it prioritized as a potential solution along San Francisco's waterfront? Do you have any concerns or input you would like to share about this measure?
Example of piles installed to support new wharf structure ©SGH 
