San Joaquin Pipeline Project

Oakdale, CA

As a part of the San Joaquin Pipeline Project, the Oakdale Pipeline Protection structure is primarily a concrete vault shielding a large main pipeline as well as several other tributaries as they connect to the main pipeline. The structure also includes a cube-like vestibule and a chimney-like exhaust structure. Together the protection structure is about 110 feet long by 50′ wide. The main vault has a radius of about 20 feet. Aside from utilizing a thick concrete vault to protect the Oakdale Pipeline, an additional layer of soil rests around the vault, retained by concrete retaining walls around the structure. Within the concrete vault is a continuous and accessible space allotted for future maintenance of the pipeline and the protection structure. The concrete structure is anchored and restrained from movement by a system of piers, held together by pier cap foundations.