UNDERWATER

CONSTRUCTION

what is underwater
construction?

introduction
during the construction of bridges, dams or any
other structure where the foundation part of
the structure is most likely to lie underwater,
we have to opt for underwater construction
construction in water poses many difficulties
especially in the places where there the depth
is considerable

activities
include
power generation

bridges

 water utilities

ship
husbandry

 industrial
mining

power and
gas
transmission

pipeline

underwater construction
techniques
almost any construction
technique that can be
used abovewater can also
be used underwater

underwater construction
techniques
There are a number of
products and materials
that have been
formulated or developed
specifically for
underwater work

underwater construction
techniques
wet construction
&
dry construction

wet
construction
a diver
evaluate the overall
cost of the work
considering time
equipment needs
the capability of a
diver to accomplish
a
more
grosstask
than fine
the
specific
nature

dry
construction
caisson
&
cofferdam

caisson
permanent structure
large hollow structure that sunk
down through the earth
used in construction of bridge
piers, building columns, dams,
repair of ships...
keeps working environment dry

working area of caissons

advantages of
caisson
economic
slight less noise and reduced
vibrations
easily adaptable to varying site
conditions
high axial and lateral loading

cofferdams
temporary structure
allows enclosed space to be pumped out, creating dry
environment
enclosed coffers are commonly used for construction and
repair of oil platforms , bridge piers and other support
structures built within or over water
a cofferdam involves the interaction of the structure, soil and
water. Loads imposed include the hydrostatic forces of the
water as well as the dynamic forces due to currents and
waves
used for shallow construction having depth less than 10m.

working area of
cofferdams

advantages of
cofferdam
provides safe environment to work
contractors have design responsibilty
steel sheet piles are easily installed and
removed
materials typically reused on other
projects

acing concrete under water

The satisfactory method of placing concrete underwater is by the
use of tremie pipe

tremie method

a tremie is a water tight pipe

generally 250 mm in diameter
capable of easy coupling for increase
or decrease of length
Funnel shaped hopper at its upper
end and a loose plug at the bottom
the concrete having a very high slump
of about 15 to 20 cm is poured into
the funnel

placing concrete under water

tremie method
lifted up and slight jerk is given, so that
the concrete gets discharged
again concrete is poured over the funnel,
the pipe is slightly lifted amd given jerk
in this way concrete work is progressed
without stopping till the concrete level
comes above the water level

placing concrete under water

-pranay kumar

(CVSR colg. of engg.