Study on the Causes of Cracking in Concrete Components of a High-Pile Beam Plate Wharf

Abstract

The high-pile beam slab structure is a commonly employed design for riverbank wharves; however, the wharf structure may incur damage due to various factors during long-term operation, resulting in potential safety concerns. To illustrate this, an investigation was conducted on a high-pile beam slab wharf, which included on-site examination, testing, and large-scale three-dimensional numerical simulation. The effects of gravity, ship impact, earthquake, lateral impact, water, and crane change were considered to explore the causes of cracking in the wharf concrete components. The results indicated that crane modification significantly augmented loads, precipitating notable deformation (92% increase in maximum vertical displacement), and the maximum tensile stress exceeded concrete tensile strength. The inadequate thickness of the steel reinforcement protective layer caused concrete carbonation, steel exposure, and corrosion, reducing structural capacity. The presence of defects in the pile foundation has been shown to result in high stress concentrations, which can lead to deformation and damage. There was a 58% increase in vertical displacement in the concrete components above the affected area compared to intact piles. Based on analysis of the results, appropriate measures for strengthening and correction have been proposed to ensure the safety and durability of the wharf. A comprehensive multifactor evaluation and 3D simulation of the actual dimensions are recommended to ensure the safety of wharf structures.