Cofferdam

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.
During underwater construction our main
objective is to create dry and water free
environment for working in such a manner that
the structural stability of the structure is not
compromised.

UNDERWA
TER
CONSTRUC
TION

Construc
tion
techniqu
es

Methods
of
Placing
of
concrete

Caissons
Cofferda
ms
Tremie
method
Pump
method
Toggle
bags
Bag
works

Underwater construction
4
techniques:

Caissons:
Watertight retaining structure .
Permanent in nature.
Used to work on foundation of bridge pier,
construction of concrete dam or for the repair
of ships.
Constructed in such a manner so that the
water can be pumped out.
Keeps working environment dry.

Working inside a caisson

5

TYPES OF CAISSONS
6

Open caisson

grab
Ground
water
level
Circumferential
gap
shoe

Control
post
pontoo
n

Ballast water

Box caisson

PNEUMATIC CAISSON

Large inverted box on which pier is

built.
Compressed air is used to keep the
water and mud out.
Used to work on riverbed or
quicksand's.

Suction caisson
More suitable for off shore construction.
Upturned bucket embedded in marine sediment.
Embedment achieved by pushing or by creating
negative pressure.

ADVANTAGES OF
CAISSONS
Economic.
9

Slightly less noise and reduced vibrations.

Easily adaptable to varying site conditions.
High axial and lateral loading capacity.
Minimal handling equipmentis required for
placement ofreinforcing cage.
Placement is sometimes possible in types of
soil that a driven pile couldnot penetrate

10

Dangers encountered:

Caisson diseaseis so named since it

appeared in construction workers when they
left the compressed atmosphere of the
caisson and rapidly re entered normal
(decompressed) atmospheric conditions.
Construction of theBrooklyn Bridge, which
was built with the help of caissons, resulted
in numerous workers being either killed or
permanently injured by caisson disease
during its construction, including the
designer's son and Chief Engineer of the

11

Cofferdams:

Temporary structure
Built within or in pairs across a body of water
Allows the enclosed space to be pumped out, creating
a dry work 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. The loads imposed include the
hydrostatic forces of the water, as well as the dynamic
forces due to currents and waves.
Used for shallow constructions having depth less than
10m.

Working inside a cofferdam

12

DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGINEERING GCET JAMMU

13

Components of cofferdam:

Sheet piling
Sheet piling is a manufactured
construction product with a
mechanical connection
interlock at both ends of the
section. These mechanical
connections interlock with one
another to form a continuous
wall of sheeting.

Brace piling
Concrete seal

Sheet piles

Bracing frame

COFFERDAM CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE:

14
1. Pre-dredge to remove soil or soft sediments and level the area of the

cofferdam
2. Drive temporary support piles.
3. Temporarily erect bracing frame on the support piles
4. Set steel sheet piles.
5. Drive sheet piles to grade.
6. Block between bracing frame and sheets, and provide ties for sheet
piles at the top as necessary
7. Excavate inside the grade or slightly below grade, while leaving the
cofferdam full of water
8. Drive bearing
9. Place rock fill as a levelling and support course.
10. Place Tremie concrete seal .

15

ADVANTAGES OF COFFERDAM:

Allow excavation and construction

ofstructures in otherwise poor
environment.
Provides safe environment to work.
Contractors typically have design
responsibility.
Steel sheet piles are easily installed and
removed.
Materials can typically be reused on other
projects.

CONCLUSION:
16

Cofferdams are temporary structures and used in cases

where the plan area of foundation is very large, depth of
water is less and for the soft soils, where soils allow easy
driving of sheet piles.
Caissonsarepermanentstructuresandbecomeseconomical
in cases where the plan area of foundation is small, large
depth of water and for loose soils.
Suction caisson anchors are gaining considerable acceptance
in the offshore industry.