Introduction & Objectives
Sounds produced by humans have the potential to affect the behavior and physiology of marine species, including fish and marine mammals. Pile driving is a significant component of marine construction projects known to produce high sound levels. Current data on sound levels from pile driving have mostly been collected from projects in California and Washington states. However, the different bathymetric and sediment conditions on the east coast may produce lower sound levels during similar pile driving projects in these locations. This project seeks to understand the sound produced by both vibratory and impact driving methods on various types of piles at Navy installations along the US East Coast.
Technical Approach
This project has been contracted to HDR, Inc., and subcontracted to Illingworth and Rodkin, Inc. Sound measurements are collected at near (~10m) and far (~150m) ranges from pile driving with calibrated hydrophones and sound level meters. Both airborne and underwater noise levels are analyzed. Results include broadband sound pressure levels and 1/3 octave band spectra for inclusion in analyses of the effects of pile driving sound on marine species.
Progress & Results
In May 2013, researchers conducted monitoring on two installations, measuring vibratory installation of steel sheet and H-piles at JEB-LC and impact testing of a single concrete pile at Craney Island. Underwater measurements were made at short- (approximately 10-m) and long-distance (approximately 50- to 200-m) ranges from the piles being driven at both installations. Airborne noise measurements were taken only at JEB-LC. For the steel piles at JEB-LC, the source levels for vibratory driving ranged from 115 to 121 decibels referenced to 1 micro Pascal root mean square. For the impact driving of the concrete pile, source levels averaged between 162 and 169 decibels referenced to 1 micro Pascal root mean square.
Researchers conducted similar monitoring efforts at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and Naval Station Norfolk in fall 2014. At the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, monitoring included large (48-inch diameter) steel pipe piles, while monitoring at Naval Station Norfolk targeted vibratory driving of small diameter (12- to 16-inches) timber piles and impact driving of 24-inch diameter square concrete piles.
In 2015, measurements were taken at the temporary pier constructed during training for the Joint Logistics Over The Shore exercise performed at JEB-LC. In September 2015, measurements of vibratory extraction of 24-inch steel pipe piles were taken. Vibratory extraction measured approximately 145 decibels referenced to 1 micro Pascal root mean square. Installation of piles for JLOTS was measured during April of 2016. Average sound levels during installation were 196 dB re 1µPa RMS, and 212 dB re 1µPa peak
The interim reports from each monitoring event and the compared data have been published in a single comprehensive final report, which is now available for download (Illingworth and Rodkin 2017).
Project Information
Timeline
2012 - 2016
Location
Naval installations along the US East Coast
Species
Methods
Source measurements and acoustic propogation modelling
Conceptual Framework
Performing Organizations
Principal Investigators
Keith H. Pommerenck, Senior Consultant
Illingworth & Rodkin, Inc.
Sponsor(s) & Funding
FY12 - $450K
Point of Contacts
Project Manager
Dr. Cara Hotchkin
NAVFAC Atlantic
Environmental Conservation – Marine Resources Section
Data, Reports, & Publications
Technical Reports
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Pile-Driving Noise Measurements at Atlantic Fleet Naval Installations: 28 May 2013–28 April 2016 - Final Report.
Illingworth & Rodkin. 2017.
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Type:Ocean:Region:Species:Methods:
In order to better assess the impacts of pile-driving activities, the U.S. Navy has collected data at six locations where 93 pile driving events occurred in which noise levels were measured over a 3-year period of airborne and underwater empirical acoustic noise-level data collected during pile-driving construction projects along the Mid-Atlantic corridor.
Underwater and Airborne Acoustic Monitoring for the U.S. Navy Elevated Causeway (ELCAS) Construction at the JEB Little Creek Naval Station: 26–28 April 2016.
Illingworth & Rodkin. 2016.
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Type:Ocean:Region:Species:Methods:
This report summarizes underwater and airborne acoustic monitoring results for the installation of piles associated with the training exercise related to the construction of the Elevated Causeway (ELCAS) at Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia. On 26, 27, and 28 April 2016, multiple 24-inch (61-centimeter) diameter steel pipe piles were installed.
Underwater and Airborne Acoustic Monitoring for the U.S. Navy Elevated Causeway (ELCAS) Removal at the JEB Little Creek Naval Station: 10-11 September 2015.
Illingworth & Rodkin. 2015.
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Type:Ocean:Region:Species:Methods:
This report summarizes underwater and airborne acoustic monitoring results for removal of piles associated with the training exercise related to the removal of the Elevated Causeway (ELCAS) at Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia. On 10 and 11 September 2015, multiple 61-centimeter diameter (24-inch) steel pipe piles were removed. All pile-extractions were accomplished using an APE 150 Vibratory Driver Extractor; which has an eccentric moment of 23.35 kilogram-force-meter (2,200 pound-force inch). Noise levels were measured for 13 piles
Hydroacoustic and Airborne Monitoring at the Naval Station Mayport – Interim Report 9–11 June 2015.
Illingworth & Rodkin. 2015.
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Type:Ocean:Region:Species:Methods:
This report summarizes underwater and airborne acoustic monitoring results for pile-driving at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida during through 11 June 2015. Both 96.5- centimeter (cm) (38-inch [in]) × 45.7-cm (18-in) king piles and 122-cm (48-in) sheet piles were installed.
Hydroacoustic and Airborne Noise Monitoring at the Naval Station Norfolk during Pile Driving – Interim Report.
Illingworth & Rodkin. 2015.
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Type:Ocean:Region:Species:Methods:
This report summarizes the underwater and airborne noise monitoring results for impact driving 24-inch (61 centimeter) square concrete piles and vibratory driving timber piles at the Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia
Hydroacoustic and Airborne Noise Monitoring at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard during Pile Driving – Interim Report 30 September through 2 October 2014.
Illingworth & Rodkin. 2015.
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Type:Ocean:Region:Species:Methods:
This report summarizes the underwater and airborne noise monitoring results for (36-inch [91.4 cm] and 48-inch [121.2 cm]) steel shell piles at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Annex in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Figure 1). The piles driven were structural piles being driven to reinforce the existing Pier
Joint Expeditionary Force Base Little Creek And Craney Island Hydroacoustic And Airborne Final Interim Monitoring Report.
Illingworth & Rodkin. 2013.
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Type:Ocean:Region:Species:Methods:
This report summarizes the hydroacoustic monitoring results for sheet piles and H-Piles at the Joint Expeditionary Force Base Little Creek and 24-inch concrete pile at Craney Island near Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia. The plan was to measure sheet piles on 28 and 30 May and measure concrete piles driven on 29 May.
Publications
+Presentations
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Source levels and spectral characteristics of sound produced during pile driving at US East Coast Navy Installations.
Hotchkin C.F., Thornton J.B., Kumar A., Richlen M., Pommerenck, K.. 2016. 4th International Conference on the Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life.
Associated Projects & Blog Posts
Blog Posts
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