| abstract |
Borer-resistant waterfront retaining bulkheads. Such bulkheads feature a wall of sheeting placed seaward of the piles, rather than landward, as in conventional structures. Alternatively, the bulkheads may employ no piles but rather be supported by anchors. These structures improve water current flow over the bulkheads and thus help eliminate marine borers which typically attack the sheeting. A number of upper and lower wales hold the sheeting in place with respect to piles with no appreciable loss in overall strength or durability of the structure. The sheeting may be formed in two or more layers of boards, some of which may be tongue-and-grooved and/or shiplapped. Outer layers of boards in the sheeting, which bear heavier exposure to wind, water and waves, may be formed of sapwood or other materials for maximum strength and durability at minimum expense. Some or all of the wales may be formed of laminated sapwood to lend additional strength and durability. Such arrangement of components allows the builder to maximize strength and durability and minimize expense by selecting the materials and treatment types for each layer of boards in the sheeting, and each wale that is used, depending upon environmental factors and cost considerations. |