STEMM Report

Introduction:





For my senior project I was required to plan, design, and construct a scale model of a green marina. The marina is located in the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor. This marina must be converted to meet more environmentally friendly criteria. The project is separated into two distinct portions, a structural aspect, and a civil aspect. I am working with a partner to complete this project.

The civil standpoint takes place mostly on land, dealing with issues such as parking lots, and proper waste run-off. My partner, Anthony, will take the roll of the civil engineer for this project. He will be focusing on pre-engineering portions of the project such as: sitescape/landscape analysis, deed description, site plan, roadway grade and the interpolation of contours. As the civil engineer he is responsible for re-designing all of the land based structures and other parts of the marina un-related to the dock itself. In order to properly manage the civil engineering parts of the marina, Anthony will first need a site plan of the already existing marina and base his new design around what we are able to work with at the site.

The structural engineer’s job is to ensure that the proposed plans are structurally sound and that the proper precautions are in place to protect the docked boats, i.e. breakwaters. I will be taking the role of the structural engineer. This section of the project is sometimes referred to as the (wet portion), because it entails the aspect of the marina that is located on the water.







I have decided upon an environmentally friendly material to use as a dock. I have also taken the necessary precautions to ensure the boats are protected from the forces of nature. In the end the final solution must meet the client’s demands, and must meet their satisfaction. All of these needs must be met while the marina still meets “green” codes.

All progress achieved during the span of this project has been logged electronically via a weblog as well as copied into a notebook. The logging of progress throughout this project is crucial. It keeps the designer on track while at the same time informs the client on the progress so far. Mentor contact is also crucial in this project. Mentor contact has helped my partner and me stay on the right track as well as help us with any problems they may had along the way.

For our senior project we have began our work upon the “Green Marina” project. This project entails the design, planning, and construction of a scale model marina complete with accessories that help it meet environmentally friendly protocol. The final solution must be testable, and it must meet the demands and wants of a client.





Project Relevance to Systems Engineering:



My senior project is the Green marina and it is classified as an innovation. I am merely adding to an existing marina, not creating something new. This project is also considered an open system for several reasons. There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration while working on this project. The design and functionality of the marina itself are of primary concern, but by no means the sole concern. Other factors that need to be looked at include: meeting green marina requirements, the design of the marina, proper waste removal/treatment within the marina, secure re-fueling stations to prevent runoff, and many more.

For this project I am assuming the role of a structural engineer assigned to this project. I will be dealing with everything from the shoreline seaward. This includes the docks, bulkheads, boat slips, re-fueling station, groin, and breakwater. I must be sure that my design is functional and able to adhere to green marina standard set forth by the New Jersey Clean Marina Program. I must also make sure that my design is able to function in the way it is intended, i.e., all components are structurally sound. One of the most important aspects of this project under my jurisdiction is the piers themselves. The piers are where the boats themselves are stationed, without piers there is no marina. Another main focus of mine is how to make this marina green.

Several different types of manufacturing are required to complete this project. Construction, electronics, engineering, and metal working are all necessary to build a functional green marina. Construction is very important as this is the stage of manufacturing where the majority of the marina will be built. Metalworking plays a role in the same stage as construction. To make this marina green one must be up on their immerging technologies. People have been developing more environmentally friendly equipment lately and this new technology can play a valuable role in the marina.



Related Science Concepts:

There are several studies and sciences that go into the completion of this marina as well as types of manufacturing. One of the main sciences involved is surveying. Both the land and water must be surveyed prior to construction. The depth of the water seaward from the marina must be determined. As seen in figure II the depth of the water plays a crucial role in the planning of the marina. It is important to know the depth of the water in all areas to avoid large boats from grounding themselves in shallow water.







The design of the entire marina must be based off of the depth of the water around the marina. The smaller vessels will dock in the more shallow water while the larger vessels will dock in the deeper water. Another branch of science that needs to be considered when constructing this marina is the study of the soil on which you are building (see figure III). This is a crucial step for any construction project because the soil creates the foundation for your project.







If you are building on a weak foundation the entire project may be compromised. Several factors of the soil are tested before work begins on a site. Soil is tested for density tests, geophysical tests, and plate-bearing tests. It is also important to be sure that the built structure will not be affected by soil erosion beneath the structure.



Related Technology Concepts:

Technology plays a major role in any construction project as technology helps us accomplish the construction much more swiftly. Technology becomes even more important for this assignment when considering the green portion of the marina. The designed marina must be as environmentally friendly as possible and the best way to make the marina “greener” is to use new technology. Within the past few years there have been major breakthroughs in re-usable energy and the technology that makes it possible to harness this energy. The type of renewable energy to be implemented in my marina is solar energy.









Solar energy is one of the most commonly used forms of renewable energy and for good reason. The application of solar energy within my marina will work greatly towards making the marina “greener”. Another piece of technology useful in my marina is the use of an aerator. An aerator is made by attaching pvc pipe to an air compressor. Holes are drilled in the pvc piping allowing air to escape from the tube and rise to the surface of the water. An aerator is useful for several uses. An aerator prevents the water from freezing over because the water near it is constantly in motion. The bubbles can also be used to containing oil that may have leaked into the water. It is wise to drill the air hole on the underside of the pvc pipe rather than the top for several reasons. When the holes are drilled beneath the pipe the air has two ways of reaching the surface rather than one thus making the aerator more efficient. In addition, when the holes are beneath the piping debris is not able to settle and block the flow of air from reaching the surface.



Related Mathematical Concepts:

When designing this marina and before construction can begin certain mathematical calculations must be performed to prove that the design is both viable and plausible. One of the most important calculations to be made is to calculate the total area of the marina. This is an important step as it is vital to know the boundaries and limits of the land on which the work is being done. Area is calculated by multiplying length by width. In the case of the Atlantic highlands marina which measures about 1800 by 2300 feet. So the total area of the marina 4,140,000 feet squared. It is important to determine the total area able to work so that the limits are not exceeded.



Conclusion:

A lot of meticulous planning must go into a project of this scale before ground can be broken at the site. A project of this scale is composed of many components stemming from many facets of math and science. In order to fulfill the requirement of the green portion of a green marina one must know the proper technologies necessary to limit the use of non-renewable energy sources, and to limit any harm that may be posed to the environment. A study of the site must also be done. These scientific studies such as surveying and soil examination determine how safe the site is and how much extra support any structures will need.