What is Caisson Construction?

The caisson construction industry is constantly evolving. Companies are using new and better methods for making the construction process more efficient and faster. However, in despite of this scenario, no matter how advanced technology gets, companies do stick to old and proven methods of construction. One such method is the gantry supported slipform technique for caisson construction. 

The Gantry Slipform system can be executed in different set ups; on shore fixed gantry slipform, on shore mobile gantry slipform, off shore gantry slipform on floating dock, offshore fixed gantry slipform etc.

Caissons

In simpler terms, a caisson is a watertight retaining structure that functions as a bridge pier. A caisson foundation also known as pier foundation is mainly used in construction dams as well as in ship repairs. This supplementary is a hollow box or cylinder that is sunk into the ground to the desired. It is then filled with concrete for forming a strong foundation. 

A typical caisson launching is done for the following reasons:

• Simplifies the penetration of piles when there are large boulders in the soil
• Enables extension of a massive substructure for providing better resistance against destructive forces
• When the foundation is a large lateral load
• Cases when the river and seawater levels are extremely high
• When the load compositions include river forces
• Acts very well as an end-to-end carrier
• Controls the rigorous inflow of groundwater

To know this method of construction in detail, let’s have a look at the types of caissons used by companies. 

Types of caisson foundation 

The process of caisson foundation construction can be done using multiple types of caisson foundations. The list of these types include:

Box Caissons

Box caissons are the type that is open at the top and closed at the bottom. The built on land, transported to the site through floating and sunk in positions. While sinking this type, concrete, water, or sand is filled in it. It is mostly used for hard strata and is available at shallow depth.

Excavated Caissons

These types of caissons are used on excavation sites. The full use of these types of caissons is only done when the need to build a strong foundation on an excavation site is quite high. Excavation caissons are cylindrical in shape and are filled with concrete when they need to be used.  

Floating Caissons

This type of caisson foundation is primarily used at ports and harbors. The floating caissons are prefabricated floating docks that have cylindrical cavities in them. This type of caisson foundation plays a great role in facilitating the expansion of existing maritime facilities by constructing new and improved forms of commuting.  

Open Caissons

Open caissons are box structures that open at both, the top and the bottom. This caisson is most useful when there is no firm ground support available at a higher depth. As a result, they are used on sandy soils and soft bearing stratum.  

Pneumatic Caissons

These large cylinders or boxes are mainly used for underwater construction. It is suitable for carrying out work up till 12 m of depth underwater. It is also made of timber, concrete, or steel. The compressed air used in the construction pneumatic caissons helps in carrying out the foundation work in a dry space.   

Caisson construction process 

The process of caisson construction does not happen at the worksite. There is a whole process that goes into that takes place in the following stages:

• Deciding which caisson type will suit which location 
• Accordingly, fabricate it taking every requirement into consideration 
• Transported the caisson to the actual location
• Get in the water fix it the caisson base at the required depth

Caisson construction has been in the industry since long enough now and Bygging Uddemann has been an esteemed provider of this service.