When designing a construction pit adjacent to a navigation channel, the event of a ship colliding with the structure is something to take into account in the design of the pit. However, several aspects regarding ship collisions, i.e. the probability of occurrence of a collision, the magnitude of the collision force and the influence on the safety of the pit, are uncertain. The goal of this research is to develop a method to determine the safety of a temporary construction pit. The Blankenburg Connection, which is being built by BAAK, is used as a case study in this thesis. The construction pit in this project is located in the Scheur and has to deal with a busy navigation channel. The end-wall of the pit is a temporary wall, as it has to be removed in order to to be able to float a tunnel element to the middle of the channel.A Bayesian Network is used as a method to take into account all the different parameters influencing the probability of collision. When comparing the outcome of the model with values based on historical data for the Scheur, it can be concluded that the model predicts the probability quite well. A small difference can be noticed, which is probably explained by the fact of under-reporting. To determine the magnitude of the force, a Monte Carlo simulation is used. In this way a probability density function of the magnitude of the force is generated, giving insight in the occurrence of forces on the structure. The resistance of the structure is determined and mitigation measures to increase the safety of the construction pit are examined.

This report contains a study for the Integral Coastal Defence System for the Malecón in the city of Havana, Cuba. The objective was to develop a sea defence solution that prevents unacceptable flooding of the hinterland and damage of the Malecón seawall. Deriving solutions from earlier reports and using old and new data, a solution is proposed for the entire Malecón. This solution does not meet the strict requirements set by the local governments, but it reduces the overtopping significantly. It is recommended to build a curved seawall along the entire study area, which will be supplemented with artificial berms and breakwaters at specific locations.