The historical masonry Old North Pier at Sunderland was damaged during severe storms in March 2018. Outline repair schemes have been developed but to progress the detailed design of these repairs additional marine surveys were required to collect condition information below the waterline.
Aspect were engaged to complete surveys to identify the extent of damage at the pier and gather baseline information in the surrounding harbour. The surveys collected the following information;
- Multibeam bathymetry of the Harbour Entrance Channel and the outer harbour between Roker Pier and New South Pier.
- Current and wave measurement at the Harbour Entrance Channel and the outer harbour between the ends of Roker Pier and New South Pier.
- Magnetometer survey of the riverbed in front of the southern face and around the eastern end of the pier to identify UXO and ferrous objects on the river bed.
- Sub-bottom profiling survey of the riverbed in front of the southern face and around the eastern end of the pier to identify geotechnical strata and ferrous objects in the river bed.
- Side-scan sonar survey of the riverbed in front of the southern face and around the eastern end of the pier to identify debris and objects on the river bed.
- 3D laser scan of the vertical pier frontage (above and below water) of the southern face and around the eastern end of the pier to identify features, defects, and faults on the structure.
- High resolution photographic and video survey of above water elements.
All works were completed on-time and within budget, with minimal weather-related downtime. Reporting was to the agreed standards such that further repair works could be confirmed, minimising further damage to the structure.
