The Top 4 Methods of Dock Construction in Nigeria

The dock is a secondary structure that connects the shoreline and the ship. It serves as a link between the vessel and a seaworthy wharf on which it can safely moor. A dock is an artificial or natural shallow body of water that is made specifically for ships or boats to come in and out of with ease. There are many types of docks that are used in the shipping industry: floating, fixed, segmental, fairway, and j-dock design. There are also several different ways to build these docks, each with their own pros and cons. Here is an overview of the four most common methods of constructing docks in Nigeria.

Floating Docks

Floating docks can be as large as a single ship or as small as a single berth. The most common designs feature docks that float on the water, with the ship secured to the dock with ropes and/or chains. They are usually constructed from reinforced concrete and can weigh from 1,000 tons to over 100,000 tons. Floating docks are very versatile, since the dock itself can be moved to accommodate any vessel. These are usually large docks that are not very manoeuvrable, making them unsuitable for industrial areas. Floating docks can be built or retrofitted for any water depth. Their main disadvantages are that they are expensive to build and need a lot of water depth to float properly.

Fixed Docks

Fixed docks are not meant to be moved. A fixed dock is built on a foundation with pilings driven into the bottom of the water. That foundation can be anything from rock to sand. The dock itself can be made of wood, metal, concrete, or any other convenient material. Fixed docks can have a number of configurations, including single berth, T-shaped, and U-shaped docks. A T-shaped dock is a floating dock that has a single pier and a single wharf. A U-shaped dock is a combination of a floating and fixed dock that provides a route to the shore from the water. Fixed docks can come in many sizes, from a single berth to a dock that can handle very large vessels. Fixed docks are usually cheaper to build than a floating dock and can be built close to shore to minimize the amount of dredging that may be needed. However, their location cannot be changed and can only be built in water that’s deep enough. Fixed docks also require regular maintenance.

Segmental Docks

Segmental docks are modular, pre-built sections that can be assembled into a dock. Segmental docks are usually steel or concrete sections that are joined to form a continuous wall that acts as a wharf. Segmental docks are very versatile in terms of length and size. They can be built to accommodate a single vessel or an entire port. Their modularity makes them suitable for industrial areas, where noise is a concern. Segmental docks are, however, more expensive to build than fixed and floating docks. They are also more labour-intensive, since the sections must be brought to the site and assembled there. Modular docks also require special care to prevent corrosion and leaks. They are not suitable for very soft ground.

Fairway Docks

Fairway docks are built outside the shoreline, usually at a depth of 4 to 5 meters. They are designed for ships to pass through them, so they have minimal navigational obstructions. Fairway docks are usually built in brackish water bodies. They are usually built from precast concrete blocks or poured concrete. Fairway docks are built to accommodate smaller vessels and are usually cheaper to build than other types of docks. Fairways are also suitable for industrial areas and can be built with minimal environmental impact. However, they are not suitable for large vessels and are only usable for a short period of time.

J-Dock Design

J-docks are used for constructing piers and wharves. They consist of a pier with a T-shaped cross section and a simple rectangular cross-section. Pier head may be used to house machinery such as cranes and winches to enable handling of cargo. The pier-head is usually built on piles or on a fixed concrete structure that is connected to the land by a walkway or bridge. J-docks are usually built on loose sand, mud, or silt, so they need a suitable foundation for support. They are built for a single or multiple berthing or berthage such as a ship loading or offloading fuel etc. The j-dock design is one of the oldest and simplest designs used in building piers and wharves.

Conclusion

Docks are important parts of any wharf or port. They allow ships and boats to moor safely and are used in almost every industry. There are many different types of docks, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. The most common types of docks are floating, fixed, segmental, fairway, and j-dock design. Floating docks are built to be movable. Fixed docks are meant to be built on a foundation with pilings driven into the bottom of the water. Segmental docks are modular, pre-built sections that are joined to form a continuous wall. Fairway docks are built outside the shoreline, usually at a depth of 4 to 5 meters. J-dock design is one of the oldest and simplest designs used in building piers and wharves.