Abstract:
The present invention provides a perimeter frame system for use in forming the top and/or bottom surface of a construction barge. In one exemplary embodiment, the perimeter frame system is used in conjunction with support panels that are manufactured from extruded or roll form materials, such as extruded aluminum or roll form steel. The use of the perimeter frame system of the present invention eliminates the need to modify the perimeter edge portions of the extrusions forming the deck of the barge.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to barges and particularly to barges for supporting construction equipment in open water. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Barges are commonly used to support construction equipment, such as cranes, in open water during construction projects in or near inland rivers or lakes, for example. Due to the weight of the equipment supported by the barge, mats and/or other rigid support structures may be positioned atop the deck of the barge to facilitate the distribution of the weight of the construction equipment across the entirety of the deck of the barge. This allows for a barge to support an increased amount of weight, such that the construction barge may support large cranes, without causing permanent deformation of the deck of the barge. 
     In order to form the deck of a barge that will be used in conjunction with construction equipment, individual metal plates are welded together. For example, in a known barge design, individual metal plates that are approximately one-quarter of an inch thick are welded to one another. Once welded together, the plates form a panel that is sized to extend between opposing side walls and end walls of the barge. If modifications to the plates are necessary to accommodate the specific design of a particular side wall or end wall of the barge, material may be removed from the plates using a torch or plasma cutter. The plates are then connected directly to the side and end walls of the barge, such as by welding. The plates are also connected to internal support structures that are formed within the barge and that extend between opposing top and bottom sides of the barge. The process of forming the deck of the barge is then repeated to form the bottom surface of the barge. This results in the formation of a watertight structure having a continuous top and bottom surface. 
     In order to increase the strength of the deck of a barge, extruded or roll form products may be used. Such products are commercially available from Roll Form Group of Mississauga, Ontario. However, extruded or roll form products often have complex cross-sectional shapes, varying thicknesses, and/or layers that are spaced apart from one another. For example, extruded or roll form products may be elongate and form tubular channels that make modification of the product difficult. When used for a deck of a barge, the modification of the edges of the extruded or roll form product, such as by plasma cutting or machining, which is necessary to match the edges of the extruded or roll form product to the exterior of the barge in order to form a watertight seal, is difficult. As a result, forming a deck of a barge from extruded or roll form product is both time consuming and expensive. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a perimeter frame system for use in forming the top and/or bottom surface of a construction barge. In one exemplary embodiment, the perimeter frame system is used in conjunction with support panels that are manufactured from extruded or roll form materials, such as extruded aluminum or roll form steel. The use of the perimeter frame system of the present invention eliminates the need to modify the perimeter edge portions of the extrusions forming the deck of the barge. 
     Specifically, unlike traditional construction barges in which the outer edges of the metal sheets forming the deck are modified to accommodate components positioned at or along a perimeter edge of the barge, the deck of the barge of the present invention are left unmodified. Instead, only the perimeter frame system is modified. By forming the perimeter frame system from elements and in a manner that allows the perimeter frame system to be more easily modified, the cost of manufacturing and assembling a barge incorporating the teachings of the present invention is decreased. Additionally, a watertight seal may be easily formed with the perimeter of the barge, as described in detail below. 
     The outer perimeter of a construction barge has a substantially rectilinear configuration that may include deviations, such as recesses, that provide space for the receipt of necessary components. Specifically, recesses may be formed in the side walls of a barge to accommodate connectors for connecting adjacent barges to one another, such as Rendrag® type connector components. “Rendrag” is a registered trademark of Rendrag Incorporated of Sealy, Tex. Additionally, cable thimbles may be formed along the perimeter edges of the barge that define channels sized to receive sections of cable therethrough. The formation of recesses and cable thimbles along the perimeter edge of the barge requires modification of the material adjacent to the perimeter edge. As indicated above, instead of modifying the material forming the deck, the perimeter frame system of the present invention may be modified. 
     Specifically, the perimeter frame system of the present invention is designed to provide a connection between the exterior perimeter of the barge and the deck of the barge. For example, a plurality of individual perimeter frame segments may be positioned within a gap formed between the perimeter of the barge and a deck of the barge. The individual perimeter frame segments may be formed from a material having a thickness that is less than the thickness of the material forming the deck. Further, the individual perimeter frame segments may be formed from a single layer of material. As a result, the perimeter frame segments may be more easily modified to match the perimeter of the barge and more readily secured to the perimeter of the barge in a watertight manner. 
     In one form thereof, the present invention provides a barge for supporting construction equipment in a body of water. The barge includes a body having a rectilinear configuration with two substantially vertical parallel side walls and two substantially vertical parallel end walls. The side walls and the end walls cooperate to define a body perimeter having a body area. The body has a top support structure at least partially defining a top surface of the body forming a deck of the barge and a bottom support structure at least partially defining a bottom surface of the body forming a bottom of the barge. The top support structure includes a plurality of elongate sections secured to one another to form a panel. Each of the elongate sections includes at least one tubular channel and has a first layer and a second layer. The second layer extends in a direction substantially parallel to the first layer and is spaced from the first layer, wherein a gap is defined between the first layer and the second layer. The panel defines a panel perimeter having a panel area. The panel area is less than the body area, wherein the panel is positioned within the body perimeter and a perimeter gap is formed between the panel perimeter and the body perimeter. The top support structure also includes a plurality of perimeter frame segments. Each of the plurality of perimeter frame segments has a panel side portion and an opposing body perimeter side portion. The body perimeter side portion of each of the plurality of perimeter frame segments is formed as a single layer. Each of the plurality of perimeter frame segments is positioned within the gap defined between the panel perimeter and the body perimeter with the panel side portion positioned adjacent to the panel and the body perimeter side portion positioned at adjacent to at least one of the side walls and the end walls of the body. Each of the plurality of perimeter frame segments is secured to the panel and at least one of the side walls and the end walls of the body. 
     In another form thereof, the present invention provides a barge for supporting construction equipment in a body of water. The barge includes a body having a rectilinear configuration with two substantially vertical parallel side walls and two substantially vertical parallel end walls. The side walls and the end walls cooperate to define a body perimeter having a body area. The body has a top support structure at least partially defining a top surface of the body forming a deck of the barge and a bottom support structure at least partially defining a bottom surface of the body forming a bottom of the barge. The top support structure includes a plurality of elongate sections secured to one another to form a panel. Each of the plurality of elongate sections includes at least one tubular channel and has a maximum thickness. The panel defines a panel perimeter having a panel area. The panel area is less than the body area, wherein the panel is positioned within the body perimeter and a perimeter gap is formed between the panel perimeter and the body perimeter. The top support structure also includes a plurality of perimeter frame segments having a panel side portion and an opposing body perimeter portion. The body perimeter portion of each of the plurality of perimeter frame segments has a thickness that is less than the maximum thickness of the elongate sections. Each of the plurality of perimeter frame segments is positioned within the perimeter gap defined between the panel perimeter and the body perimeter with the panel side portion of the segments positioned adjacent to the panel and the body perimeter side portion of the segments positioned adjacent to at least one of the side walls and the end walls of the body. Each of the plurality of perimeter frame segments is secured to the panel and at least one of the side walls and the end walls of the body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a barge manufactured in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the barge of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded, perspective view of the support structure of the barge of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary, plan view of the support structure of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a portion of the support structure of  FIG. 4  taken at the dashed circle of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary, perspective view of a recess formed in the perimeter of the barge of  FIG. 1  and further depicting barge connectors positioned therein; 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary, perspective view of one of the corners of the barge of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an individual section of material used to form a support surface of the barge of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-section of the material of  FIG. 8  taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of two individual sections of the support material of  FIG. 8  secured to one another to define a portion of the support surface of the barge of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a perimeter frame segment of the barge of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the perimeter frame segment of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the perimeter frame segment of  FIG. 12  taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the barge of  FIG. 1  taken in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barge of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of a corner of the barge shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , construction barge  10  is shown. Barge  10  includes top and bottom panels  12 ,  14 , perimeter frame system  16 , opposing side walls  18 , and opposing end walls  20 . Side walls  18  extend vertically and are positioned substantially parallel to one another. Side walls  18  are formed by side panels  22 , support assemblies  24 , and corner panels  26 , as described in detail below. End walls  20  also extend vertically and are substantially parallel with one another and substantially perpendicular to side walls  18 . End walls  20  are formed from end panels  28 , U-channel segments  30 , and corner panels  26 , as described in detail below. Side walls  18  and end walls  20  cooperate with one another to define the perimeter of barge  10 . Top and bottom panels  12 ,  14  and perimeter frame system  16  cooperate with one another to define deck  34  and opposing bottom surface  36 , respectively, of barge  10 . In exemplary embodiment, barge  10  also includes lifting eye assembly  38  that provides a connection and support point at which barge  10  may be lifted by a crane or other heavy machinery and positioned within or removed from a body of water in a known manner. 
     As indicated above, side walls  18  are formed from side panels  22 , support assemblies  24  ( FIG. 3 ), and corner panels  26 . Each of side panels  22  and corner panels  26  includes interior surfaces  40 , exterior surfaces  42 , and flanges  44  ( FIG. 15 ) that extend along each side of the panels in a direction substantially perpendicular to surfaces  40 ,  42  of panels  24 ,  26 . In one exemplary embodiment, flanges  44  are formed by welding pieces of sheet metal to panels  24 ,  26 . In another exemplary embodiment, flanges  44  are formed by cutting and bending panels  24 ,  26 . Flanges  44  provide connection points and/or support surfaces for additional components of barge  10 . In addition to flanges  44 , bracing structure, such as cross braces  46 , may be provided. Cross braces  46  extend along interior surface  40  of each of side panels  22  and corner panels  26 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , cross braces  46  extend between opposing flanges  44  and are secured thereto, such as by welding. The addition of cross braces  46  provides additional structural rigidity to side panels  22  and corner panels  26 . 
     As indicated above, support assemblies  24  cooperate with side panels  22  and corner panels  26  to form side walls  18  of barge  10 . Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , a plurality of support assemblies  24  are shown. Support assemblies  24  each include a pair of opposing, horizontal cross members  48 ,  50  that define upper and lower support surfaces  52 ,  54 , respectively. Upper and lower support surfaces  52 ,  54  provide for the support and securement of top and bottom panels  12 ,  14 , as described in detail below and shown in  FIG. 14 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 14 , brace members  56  extend between cross members  48 ,  50  and provide additional structural support to cross members  48 ,  50  and support assemblies  24 . U-channel segments  58  extend horizontally between opposing cross members  48 ,  50  at opposing ends of cross members  48 ,  50 . U-channel segments  58  define recesses  60  that may receive connection components for connecting adjacent barges to one another, as described in detail below. Additionally, U-channel segments  58  cooperate with side panels  22  and corner panels  26  to define side walls  18  of barge  10  and position recesses  60  along the perimeter of barge  10 . 
     In order to secure side panels  22 , corner panels  26 , and support assemblies  24  together to define side walls  18  of barge  10 , a pair of support assemblies  24  is aligned substantially parallel with one another. Then, one of side panels  22  is positioned between the adjacent support assemblies  24  and aligned with exterior surface  42  extending perpendicular to support assemblies  24 . Flanges  44  of side panels  22  are then secured to the edges of U-channel segments  58 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , flanges  44  may be welded to U-channel segments  58  at welds  62 ,  64 . The process is then repeated by adding another side panel  22  and another support assembly  24  and securing the side panel  22  to one of the previous support assemblies  24  and the newly added support assembly  24 . This process may be repeated until the desired number of side panels  22  have been secured between adjacent support assemblies  24 . For example, additional side panels  22  and support assemblies  24  may be added to increase the overall length of barge  10 . Similarly, side panels  22  and support assemblies  24  may be removed to decrease the overall length of barge  10 . 
     In order to add corner panels  26  and from the transition from side walls  18  to end walls  20 , corner panels  26  are positioned on opposing sides of and at opposing ends of the support structure. Flanges  44  of corner panels  26  are secured to opposing, terminal support assemblies  24 . Specifically, corner panels  26  are secured to U-channel segments  58  of the opposing, terminal support assemblies and function to define each of the four corners of barge  10 . In one exemplary embodiment, corner panels  26  are secured to the terminal support assemblies by welding. Stated another way, for the beginning and ending support assemblies  24  at the opposing ends of barge  10 , side panels  22  are secured to only one side thereof. The opposing sides of U-channel segments  58  of the beginning and ending support assemblies  24  at the opposing ends of barge  10  are secured to flanges  44  of corner panels  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     As indicated above, corner panels  26  also cooperate with end panels  28  and individual U-channel segments  30  to define end wall  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , end panels  28  are substantially similar to side panels  22  and corresponding reference numerals have been used to identify corresponding parts therebetween. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , U-channel segments  30  are positioned to extend vertically between adjacent sides of corner panels  26  and end panel  28 . As shown, one of U-channel segments  30  is secured to the portion of each corner panel  26  defining a part of end wall  20 . Specifically, one of U-channel segments  30  is secured to one of flanges  44  of each corner panel  26 , such as by welding. End panels  28  are then secured between U-channel segments  30  at one of flanges  44 , such as by welding. In other embodiments, additional end panels  28  and U-channel segments  30  may be added to increase the width of barge  10 . 
     As indicated above, side walls  18  and end walls  20  cooperate to define the perimeter of barge  10 . The area within the top barge perimeter defined by side walls  18  and end walls  20  and extending along a plane incorporating upper support surfaces  52  of cross members  48  is the top barge area. Similarly, the area within the bottom barge perimeter defined by side walls  18  and end walls  20  and extending along a plane incorporating lower support surface  54  of cross members  50  is the bottom barge area. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , with side walls  18  and end walls  20  of barge  10  formed, connector components that are used to secure barge  10  to an adjacent barge, such as components  70  of a Rendrag® type connector, may be positioned within recesses  60  defined by U-channel segments  30 ,  58 . In one exemplary embodiment, components  70  are secured to U-channel segments  30 ,  58  by welding at welds  72 . Components  70  have substantially C-shaped openings  74  extending therethrough. A pair of interconnected rods (not shown) that are sized for receipt within openings  74  are used to connected adjacent barges  10  to one another. Specifically, the rods are sized such that the longitudinal axis of rods may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of C-shaped openings  74  and translated therethrough. The rods may be advanced into a position in which they are captured by the wall defining C-shaped openings  74 , as the rods are sized such that they cannot pass through the gap defined by C-shaped openings  74 . By passing a first one of the rods through components  70  on a first barge  10  and a second one of the rods through components on a second barge  10 , the barges  10  are secured together at components  70  in a known manner. By connecting a plurality of adjacent barges  10 , the support surface available for construction or other heavy equipment can be expanded. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , barge  10  includes a pair of opposing top and bottom panels  12 ,  14 , which at least partially define the opposing top and bottom surfaces of barge  10 . In one exemplary embodiment, the surfaces of panels  12 ,  14  are at least partially defined by top surfaces  76  of individual elongate sections  78 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . As described in detail below, a plurality of individual elongate sections  78  are secured to one another to form top and bottom panels  12 ,  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , each elongate section  78  is formed with a pair of tubular channels  83 ,  85 . Each section  78  includes substantially planar first layer  80  that defines top surface  76 . Each section  78  also includes substantially planar second layer  82  spaced from first layer  80 . Gap  81  is defined between first and second layers  80 ,  82  and separates first and second layers  80 ,  82  from one another. Additionally, each individual elongate section  78  has a maximum thickness T m . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , maximum thickness T m  extends from first layer  80  to second layer  82 . In one exemplary embodiment, a first side of each section  78  includes recess  84  and a second, opposing side of each section  78  includes projection  86 . Recesses  84  and projections  86  may be aligned with each other as shown in  FIG. 10  to facilitate the connection of individual sections to one another. Specifically, a first one of sections  78  is aligned with projection  86  received within recess  84  of a second one of sections  78 . Once in the position shown in  FIG. 10 , the aligned sections  78  may be secured to one another, such as by welding. In order to form top and bottom panels  12 ,  14 , a plurality of elongate sections  78  are secured to one another, such as in the manner described above, until the desired width and length of panels  12 ,  14  is reached. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , each individual elongate section  78  is roll formed. Sections  78  may be formed from hot rolled steel or from steel that is hot rolled, pickled, and oiled. Elongate sections  78  manufactured by roll forming are commercially available from Roll Form Group of Mississauga, Ontario. However, other manufacturing processes or techniques may be used to form elongate sections  78 , such as extrusion. By forming top and bottom panels  12 ,  14  using elongate sections  78  having the shape shown herein, panels  12 ,  14  and barge  10  are capable of supporting a substantially greater amount of weight than a traditional construction barge. For example, when panels  12 ,  14  are formed from sections  78 , barge  10  has a point load capacity as high as 20,000 pounds per square foot, while a support surface of barges made in accordance with traditional techniques have a point load capacity of 1,500 pounds per square foot. 
     Once formed, top surfaces  76  of sections  78  that cooperate to form top panel  12  define a top panel perimeter having a top panel area. Similarly, top surfaces  76  of sections  78  that cooperate to form bottom panel  14  define a bottom panel perimeter having a bottom panel area. The top panel perimeter and the resulting top panel area are less than the top barge perimeter and the top barge area, respectively, of barge  10  as described in detail above. Similarly, the bottom panel perimeter and the resulting bottom panel area are less than the bottom barge perimeter and the bottom barge area, respectively, of barge  10  as described in detail above. Additionally, panels  12 ,  14  are sized for receipt within top and bottom barge perimeters, respectively. In one exemplary embodiment, the bottom panel area is equal to the top panel area. Alternatively, in other exemplary embodiments, the bottom panel area may be greater than or less than the top panel area. 
     Top and bottom panels  12 ,  14  are positioned on and secured to upper and lower support surfaces  52 ,  54  of cross members  48 ,  50  of support assemblies  24 . In exemplary embodiments, top and bottom panels  12 ,  14  are secured to upper and lower support surfaces  52 ,  54  by welding. Due to the decreased area of top and bottom panels  12 ,  14  relative to the top and bottom barge areas, respectively, gap  88  ( FIGS. 12 and 14 ) is formed between the top and bottom perimeters of barge  10  and the outer edges of panels  12 ,  14 , respectively. 
     In order to close gap  88  and ensure that barge  10  is watertight, additional sections  78  could be positioned on cross members  58 ,  50  of support assemblies  24  and secured thereto. However, in order to conform the added sections  78  to the perimeter of barge  10 , sections  78  would have to be machined and/or modified, such as by plasma cutting, to accommodate recesses  60  defined by U-channel segments  30 ,  58  and/or to form first openings  90 , shown in  FIG. 1 , that cooperate with second openings  92  in side panels  22  to define cable thimbles. As indicated above, the ability to machine and/or otherwise modify elongate sections  78  is time consuming, difficult, and expensive. Specifically, due to the large maximum thickness T m  of sections  78  in the area of tubular channels  83 ,  85 , the amount of material that must be modified on the opposing sides of sections  78  is extremely large. Additionally, depending on the necessary modification, both first layer  80  and second layer  82  of sections  78  may have to be modified. This would make it difficult to maintain the water tightness of barge  10 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, rather than providing additional sections  78  and modifying the same to close gap  88  between top and bottom panels  12 ,  14  and the top and bottom barge perimeter, respectively, perimeter frame system  16  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is used. Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , individual perimeter frame segment  96  is shown. Perimeter frame segment  96  has a substantially L-shaped cross-section, as shown in  FIG. 13 , including barge perimeter portion  98  and panel side portion  100 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , barge perimeter portion  98  preferably defines the widest portion of the L-shape, while panel side portion  100  defines the narrowest portion of the L-shape. 
     Barge perimeter portion  98  will have a width W ( FIG. 13 ) sufficient to span gap  88  ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ) between the perimeter of panels  12 ,  14  and the top and bottom barge perimeter. As shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , each perimeter frame segment  96  may include cutouts  102  that have been cut or otherwise machined into each perimeter frame segment  96  that are sized to accommodate deviations in the top and bottom perimeter of barge  10 . For example, Cutouts  102  may be sized to accommodate recesses  60  of U-channel segments  30 ,  58  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Additionally, in exemplary embodiments, barge perimeter portion  98  has a simpler cross-section than sections  78  and has a thickness T f  ( FIG. 13 ) that is less than the maximum thickness T m  of elongate sections  78  ( FIG. 9 ). As a result, barge perimeter portion  98  of each individual frame segment  96  may be modified more readily than elongate sections  78  that form panels  12 ,  14 , as less material must be cut through or otherwise machined. This allows for the modification and/or machining of barge perimeter portion  98  to accommodate recesses and other variations in the perimeter of barge  10  with decreased difficulty, time, and expense. In one exemplary embodiment, barge perimeter portion  98  is formed from a single layer, i.e., there is no gap formed between opposing sides of barge perimeter portion  98 . This also allows for barge perimeter portion  98  to be more readily modified to accommodate the perimeter of barge  10 . For example, the need to separately align and perform independent cutting or other machining operations on multiple layers of material is eliminated. 
     Further, barge perimeter portion  98  can be readily secured to the perimeter of barge  10  by welding a single layer of material to the components defining the perimeter of barge  10 . In contrast, if elongate sections  78  were modified to accommodate the perimeter of barge  10 , multiple layers of material having a complex cross-section would have to be precisely machined and secured, such as by welding, to the perimeter of barge  10 . Additionally, each of these individual welds for each of the layers of material would have to be checked to ensure that the water tightness of barge  10  is maintained. However, because barge perimeter portion  98  includes only a single layer of material, a single connection to the perimeter of barge  10  is made for each perimeter frame segment  96 . This single connection can be easily formed by welding and can be readily checked for water tightness. As a result, the water tightness of the barge  10  can be ensured in a much quicker and less expensive manner. 
     In order to complete perimeter frame system  16 , each perimeter frame segment  96  is secured to one of panels  12 ,  14  and barge  10 . Referring to top panel  12  and the top barge perimeter defined by side walls  18  and end walls  20 , as described in detail above, each perimeter frame segment is aligned with cutouts  102  positioned around recesses  60  with barge perimeter portions  98  in contact with flanges  44  of at least one of side walls  18  and end walls  20  at the top barge perimeter. Additionally, barge perimeter portions  98  are aligned to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to side walls  18  and end walls  20  and substantially parallel to the top surface of top panel  12 . In this position, panel side portion  100  is in contact with the side of elongate sections  78  defining a portion of the perimeter of top panel  12 . Additionally, panel side portions  100  are positioned to extend along the perimeter of top panel  12  in a direction substantially perpendicular to the top surface of top panel  12 . Once in this position, perimeter frame segment  96  is secure to flanges  44  of at least one of side walls  18  and end walls  20  at the top barge perimeter and is secured to elongate sections  78  at the perimeter of top panel  12 , such as by welding. This process is then repeated for each individual perimeter frame segment  96  until perimeter frame system  16  is completed. Then, the ends of individual perimeter frame segments  96  that contact one another may be secured together, such as by welding, resulting in gap  88  being completely sealed in a watertight manner. The process may then be repeated to fill any gap that may be formed between the bottom barge perimeter and bottom panel  14 . 
     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.