| dc.description.abstract | Dredging is a normal and essential part of maritime commerce not only for the largest ports in the United States but also for the smallest marinas in harbors, lakes, and rivers. Dredging projects are often awarded to local contractors via a competitive bidding process. To appropriately estimate the final cost for individual dredging projects, contractors need accurate programs to compile known information about the project, and use this information to accurately estimate the dredging cost. This thesis describes a program to accurately determine the production rate and cost estimate for cutter suction dredges, using minimal information from the dredging site and the dredge being used.
The program used for the cutter suction dredge cost estimation incorporates the production rate and final cost estimation. The production rate is found first and used to estimate the project duration and total dredging cost. Using the Cutter Suction Dredge Cost Estimating Program
(CSDCEP) developed from MS Excel, a user can add specific project information for a more accurate result. The CSDCEP uses the MS Excel interface, making it publicly available and incorporates fluid mechanics, dimensionless pump curve analysis, and current economic data, to create a reliable, customizable program regardless of the amount of user input.
Sixteen dredging projects including four beach nourishment projects completed between 2016 and 2018 were selected from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the winning bids were compared with the final cost estimates from the Cutter Suction Dredge Cost Estimating Program.
CSDCEP accurately estimated the winning bids with a mean absolute percent difference of 10% for the dredging projects chosen and 9% for the beach nourishment dredging operation costs. | en |
