Johnny Mercer Pier and Pier House

Ardurra served as the prime consultant, delivering structural engineering services for a new 940-foot-by-21-foot concrete pier replacement, restoring critical recreational infrastructure damaged during hurricanes. The advanced concrete pier design incorporates precast/prestressed concrete piles and cored slabs, featuring specialized corrosion inhibitors and enhanced mix parameters, to ensure a 50-year service life in the challenging marine environment.

The resilient pier construction features epoxy-coated reinforcing and coated piles providing superior corrosion resistance while supporting a platform designed to accommodate a new pier house facility. Strategic collaboration with pier house architect George Alsina enabled integrated design coordination supporting both structural and architectural requirements for this iconic coastal landmark.

Key Project Highlights:

• Designed a 940-foot by 21-foot concrete pier, replacing a hurricane-damaged timber structure with advanced marine construction technology

• Engineered a 50-year service life design using corrosion inhibitors, epoxy-coated reinforcing, and specialized coated piles for marine durability

• Utilized pre-cast/pre-stressed concrete piles with cored slabs, providing superior structural performance in challenging coastal conditions

• Designed an integrated platform system supporting the new pier house facility with coordinated structural and architectural requirements

• Provided structural engineering for a 5,000 SF pier house featuring concrete walls, timber first floor, and a concrete slab on a metal deck second floor

• Engineered hybrid roof system combining pre-manufactured timber roof trusses with moment-resisting steel frames for optimal performance

• Coordinated architect collaboration with George Alsina, ensuring seamless integration of pier and pier house structural systems

The pier replacement demonstrates expertise in marine construction while providing enhanced hurricane resilience for this important Wrightsville Beach recreational facility. Advanced corrosion protection and structural design ensure long-term durability, supporting community recreation and economic development along North Carolina's coast.