Others

SFOBB Pier E3 Foundation Blasting Demonstration Program

Oakland, California

Oakland, California

-

Completed in

Completed in

2010

2010

With the completion of the new East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) in 2013, Caltrans turned its focus to dismantling the original bridge. EMI assisted Caltrans in a study to consider and compare various methods of removal of the marine foundations

The study resulted in a proposal to Caltrans Toll Bridge Program for a blasting demonstration program of the foundation at Pier E3. This pier is a massive cellular concrete caisson 80x134 ft with the bottom 228 ft below sea level. EMI worked closely with Caltrans engineering and environmental experts, blasting consultants, and hydro-acoustic experts to develop an Advanced Planning Study (APS) for the Pier E3 Foundation Blasting Demonstration Program. The APS included a Blast Attenuation System, an Environmental Watch Plan, and a Monitoring Program. 

A controlled demolition blast of Pier E3 caisson took place on Nov. 14, 2015 to protect underwater species. The blasting was very successful. Hydro-accoustic measurements indicated that the blast attenuation system reduced peak water overpressures by 75%, successfully mitigating effects of the blast on underwater species. With the success of this program, removal of the remaining marine bridge foundations will use the same methods. Over $100M in savings are anticipated to be realized using controlled blasting compared to conventional demolition methods.

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Fountain Valley (Head office)

17800 Newhope Street
Suite B
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 751-3826

Inland Empire

765 North Main Street
Suite 136
Corona, CA 92880
(714) 751-3826

San Francisco Bay Area

3541 Investment Boulevard
Suite 4
Hayward, CA 94545
(510) 562-8833

San Diego

820 Los Vallecitos Boulevard
Suite H
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 736-8222

Ⓒ2025, Earth Mechanics. All rights reserved.

At Earth Mechanics Inc. (EMI), your privacy is our priority. We do not collect or use your personal information for marketing purposes. All communications via SMS are strictly conversational in nature and initiated based on your interactions with EMI.

By providing your phone number, you consent to receive occasional, conversational SMS messages from Earth Mechanics Inc. Message frequency may vary, with an average of 1–2 messages per month. SMS numbers are never sold, shared, or disclosed to third parties without your explicit consent, except as required by law. All personal data, including SMS correspondence, is stored securely and handled in accordance with our privacy standards. We do not transfer your information to external organizations under any circumstances unrelated to legal compliance.

This website may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, or articles) from third-party websites. Such content behaves as if you visited the third-party site directly. These websites may collect data, use cookies, and track your interaction with the embedded content—especially if you are logged in to their platform.

Some media assets used on this site, including video content, are licensed from Adobe Stock under appropriate licensing terms. These assets are used in compliance with Adobe’s Enhanced License, and no attribution is required.

If you have any questions about this policy or your data privacy, please contact us at info@earthmech.com.

Fountain Valley (Head office)

17800 Newhope Street
Suite B
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 751-3826

Inland Empire

765 North Main Street
Suite 136
Corona, CA 92880
(714) 751-3826

San Francisco Bay Area

3541 Investment Boulevard
Suite 4
Hayward, CA 94545
(510) 562-8833

San Diego

820 Los Vallecitos Boulevard
Suite H
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 736-8222

Ⓒ2025, Earth Mechanics. All rights reserved.

At Earth Mechanics Inc. (EMI), your privacy is our priority. We do not collect or use your personal information for marketing purposes. All communications via SMS are strictly conversational in nature and initiated based on your interactions with EMI.

By providing your phone number, you consent to receive occasional, conversational SMS messages from Earth Mechanics Inc. Message frequency may vary, with an average of 1–2 messages per month. SMS numbers are never sold, shared, or disclosed to third parties without your explicit consent, except as required by law. All personal data, including SMS correspondence, is stored securely and handled in accordance with our privacy standards. We do not transfer your information to external organizations under any circumstances unrelated to legal compliance.

This website may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, or articles) from third-party websites. Such content behaves as if you visited the third-party site directly. These websites may collect data, use cookies, and track your interaction with the embedded content—especially if you are logged in to their platform.

Some media assets used on this site, including video content, are licensed from Adobe Stock under appropriate licensing terms. These assets are used in compliance with Adobe’s Enhanced License, and no attribution is required.

If you have any questions about this policy or your data privacy, please contact us at info@earthmech.com.

Fountain Valley (Head office)

17800 Newhope Street
Suite B
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 751-3826

Inland Empire

765 North Main Street
Suite 136
Corona, CA 92880
(714) 751-3826

San Francisco Bay Area

3541 Investment Boulevard
Suite 4
Hayward, CA 94545
(510) 562-8833

San Diego

820 Los Vallecitos Boulevard
Suite H
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 736-8222

Ⓒ2025, Earth Mechanics. All rights reserved.

At Earth Mechanics Inc. (EMI), your privacy is our priority. We do not collect or use your personal information for marketing purposes. All communications via SMS are strictly conversational in nature and initiated based on your interactions with EMI.

By providing your phone number, you consent to receive occasional, conversational SMS messages from Earth Mechanics Inc. Message frequency may vary, with an average of 1–2 messages per month. SMS numbers are never sold, shared, or disclosed to third parties without your explicit consent, except as required by law. All personal data, including SMS correspondence, is stored securely and handled in accordance with our privacy standards. We do not transfer your information to external organizations under any circumstances unrelated to legal compliance.

This website may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, or articles) from third-party websites. Such content behaves as if you visited the third-party site directly. These websites may collect data, use cookies, and track your interaction with the embedded content—especially if you are logged in to their platform.

Some media assets used on this site, including video content, are licensed from Adobe Stock under appropriate licensing terms. These assets are used in compliance with Adobe’s Enhanced License, and no attribution is required.

If you have any questions about this policy or your data privacy, please contact us at info@earthmech.com.

Fountain Valley (Head office)

17800 Newhope Street
Suite B
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 751-3826

Inland Empire

765 North Main Street
Suite 136
Corona, CA 92880
(714) 751-3826

San Francisco Bay Area

3541 Investment Boulevard
Suite 4
Hayward, CA 94545
(510) 562-8833

San Diego

820 Los Vallecitos Boulevard
Suite H
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 736-8222

Ⓒ2025, Earth Mechanics. All rights reserved.

At Earth Mechanics Inc. (EMI), your privacy is our priority. We do not collect or use your personal information for marketing purposes. All communications via SMS are strictly conversational in nature and initiated based on your interactions with EMI.

By providing your phone number, you consent to receive occasional, conversational SMS messages from Earth Mechanics Inc. Message frequency may vary, with an average of 1–2 messages per month. SMS numbers are never sold, shared, or disclosed to third parties without your explicit consent, except as required by law. All personal data, including SMS correspondence, is stored securely and handled in accordance with our privacy standards. We do not transfer your information to external organizations under any circumstances unrelated to legal compliance.

This website may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, or articles) from third-party websites. Such content behaves as if you visited the third-party site directly. These websites may collect data, use cookies, and track your interaction with the embedded content—especially if you are logged in to their platform.

Some media assets used on this site, including video content, are licensed from Adobe Stock under appropriate licensing terms. These assets are used in compliance with Adobe’s Enhanced License, and no attribution is required.

If you have any questions about this policy or your data privacy, please contact us at info@earthmech.com.