TM 5-850-1
and imagery coverages of the areas being investigated
as potential port sites provide several definite
tion of these facilities is normally well documented, with
advantages over other data types as follows: (1) Large-
feasibility and investigative reports being available at the
scale photography or photographic reproduction of
old port headquarters; local governmental administrative
imagery provides details that are not presented on
offices; private engineering firms; or in government
topographic and other map coverages. For instance,
archives. The types of information to be expected include
even large-scale topographic maps with 5and 10-metre
soil borings, soil bearing and shear tests, soil classification
contour intervals may fail to identify surface features or
and analysis, pile friction tests, tidal station data, weather
conditions that are relevant to port site investigation.
data, groundwater investigations, severity of flooding,
(2) Remote imageries can be obtained
locations and characteristics of construction materials, and
immediately after the occurrence of dramatic climatic or
bathymetric surveys indicating the slope and configuration
hydrologic events to permit assessment of damage or
of the harbor bottom and the presence of obstacles, such
modification.
Such events would include flooding,
as rocks, reefs, and debris. Many potential military port
hurricanes, tidal surges, and other natural disasters.
locations will be devoid of existing facilities or in other
This information may often dictate the location for, type
cases, the facilities may be in evidence but lacking
of, and method for construction.
documentary data.
(3) Photography and imagery coverage
permits current assessments to be made of man-made
4-2. Hydrographic and topographic surveys.
features such as transportation networks, industrial
complexes, urban development, and existing port
a. Introduction. Although the general location of the
facilities.
(4) Photography and imagery coverage
port may be established by careful consideration of
permits periodic monitoring of shoreline evolution and
background information, the precise location of the
modification to determine the influence of the physical
component facilities, such as wharves, piers, and quay,
and climatic elements on port location and construction.
shall result from comprehensive hydrographic and
(5) In the absence of map coverages,
topographic surveys.
b. Hydrographic surveys. The surveys will include the
photography and imagery coverage would serve to
provide
topographical,
geological,
pedological,
collection, reduction, and analysis of hydrographic data and
hydrographical, vegetational, and even cultural
the effective presentation thereof to permit subsequent
information required for site selection and investigation.
decisions. The following hydrographic parameters should
Identification of the required physical and natural
be considered during the survey:
(1) Depth of water.
science features necessitates interpretation by
Accurate bathymetric
personnel skilled in these various disciplines.
movements can be obtained throughout the port area as
d. Documents and records.
Documents and
well as in seaward approaches to the facilities. Water
records are valuable sources of various types of
depth is critical to the operation of ships and craft that will
topographical,
hydrographical,
and
historical
use the facility. The maximum draft for a container ship is
information. Some of the most common types of
expected to be 40 feet; pier construction and location
documents include:
trade journals; geologic,
should have suitable hydrographic conditions.
(2) Bottom character. Detailed determinations
geographic,
soil
and
oceanographic
bulletins;
environmental handbooks; tourist guides and traveler
can be made as to the lithographic and microrelief
accounts in periodicals and professional journals;
character of the bottom. Foreign and random natural
published tide tables; pilot handbooks; economic and
objects, such as boulders, oil drums, and ship wreckage,
transportation atlases; climatic records; and various
must be delineated to facilite removal or ensure avoidance
indigenous governmental reports.
Unpublished
by using ships.
(3) Tidal characteristics. These characteristics
environmental, meteorological, and scientific data are
available at government offices and research centers in
are the controlling factors in the effective operation of a
the continental United States (CONUS). Reference
port. Tidal parameters requiring determination are heights,
materials are also available from engineering firms,
range, interval, times, and behavior of tidal currents; on a
private societies, and individuals with personal interests.
daily and seasonal basis, and during periods of unusual
intensity resulting from storm activity. Significant daily tidal
concerning existing port facilities represent potentially
ranges in certain parts of the world may exceed 20 feet.
the best source of information.
The types and
(4) Discharge volumes and flow velocities of
orientation of piers, breakwaters, and dock facilities, are
rivers. Discharge volumes and flow velocities at or in the
often the result of comprehensive investigations or at
vicinity of the port are important considerations in the
worst trial-and-error type construction. The construc
regulation of vessel traffic, location and orientation
4-2
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