Concrete quay

A concrete quay is a berthing wall built from reinforced or prestressed concrete, either as stacked precast blockwork, a mass monolith, or a piled deck on a relieving slab. Marine-grade concrete uses sulfate-resisting cement, low water-cement ratio, and adequate cover so the splash and tidal zones resist chloride attack over a 50 to 100 year design life. The form is chosen for durability and high line and abrasion loads at deep berths, and is checked to BS 6349-2 for sliding, overturning, and bearing under earth pressure plus surcharge, fender, and bollard loads. Precast blocks are placed by floating crane on a leveled rubble bed; in-situ pours use tremie concrete below water.