If you have undeveloped waterfront property, you are probably planning on building at some point in the future. Before you can build on your waterfront property, though, there are preparations that need to be done, such as designing and building a seawall. The seawall is one of the most important features, and it needs to be engineered to support the weight of structures and soil and keep water away from buildings. The following guide will help you with the design of seawalls to prepare your waterfront property for construction.
Land surveying to prepare the property for development — The first step in preparing waterfront property to be developed is to have the land surveyed. The property lines and waterfront should be marked before the seawall construction can begin. You may also need to have the seawall design engineered to meet environmental regulations and restrictions before you can begin building on your property. The surveying can include details of the seawall that will later be used for engineered drawings of the project.
Engineered drawings of the seawalls and location on the property — It is also important to have engineered drawings for the design of your property. The seawall will need to be engineered, which will include drawings of the plan for the development of lakefront terrain. The drawings will include details like the height of the wall and depth beneath the surface of the water. It should also include details about the foundation and support systems of the wall.
Designing the seawall foundation and support systems — The seawall is also going to need support for the foundation of the walls, structures, and soil. These systems need to be different than a foundation that supports other structures because the support may need to penetrate layers of loose mud and sediment materials. Therefore, pier systems that penetrate mud and sediments may need to be used. There may also be additional features that support the wall below the soil elevations.
Choosing the construction materials and finishes for seawalls — The type of construction materials that are used for seawall designs are also important. Smaller walls are often made of common materials like timber and concrete, but you may want to use different materials for structural support and design features, such as stone. There are also options to face the wall with finishes like stone or brick masonry veneers.
The seawall design is a crucial step in preparing waterfront property for development and construction. Contact a seawall design engineer to start the process of preparing your site for construction.