Patent GB-479707-A (GB)
Title: Method of erecting structures in underground or open water
IPC: E02D29/077
Filed: 1937-01-01
Abstract: 479,707. Subaqueous buildings. THORNTON, A. A. (Dortmund-H÷rder Huttenverein Akt.-Ges.) Jan. 1, 1937, No. 49. [Classes 68 (i), 68 (ii), and 85] Structures are erected in underground or open water in foundation holes formed by driving in sheet-piling side walls, excavating or dredging out the soil between these walls to the required depth, and forming a reinforced concrete sill plate 2, Fig. 5, at the bottom of the foundation hole thus formed. The sill 2 is formed by lowering mats of woven round iron near to the bottom of the holes, concrete being introduced to surround these mats and form the sill under the water. Suction pipes 11, 12, loading gravel 15 and loading material 13 are introduced into the hole which is then pumped dry, the material 13, 15 balancing the upthrust on the sill. A wall 14 is driven into the material 13, 15 to' divide the hole longitudinally. The material 13 may be removed from one side of the wall 14 which is then shored so that syphon pipes may be put in, the pipes being covered again by filling material and the other side of the hole being similarly treated. The sheet piling walls and the side wall are then removed together with the pipes 11, 12 and the sand filling is covered with a stone packing. In constructing a tunnel under a river bed, a dry foundation hole partially filled with loading material is obtained as above described, roof supporting brackets 23, Fig. 11, and if desired irons, to which the sill reinforcement is connected, being provided on the walls. A reinforced concrete roof 30 is then formed above the loading material and is supported on the brackets 23 and covered by horizontal packing ribs 31 bonded in clay 32 which in turn is covered by chippings 33. The sheet piling walls 22 are then cut off level with the river bed. Starting from one or both ends of the tunnel, work chambers 34, Fig. 14, are then shored and partitioned off along the sides of the tunnel and the concrete side walls 35 are built. After hardening of the side walls, the partitions 36 and the core of loading material 29<1> are removed. The partitions may be introduced into the loading material before the roof is constructed. A partial water filling may be used as loading material, a shuttering frame being erected on the sill plate before the roof is constructed, the water being pumped out and the side walls constructed, after completion of the roof. In an alternative method of constructing the tunnel, partition walls 45, Fig. 17, are inserted into the loading material and the side chambers 46, 47 thus formed are emptied, the side walls being then constructed. The partitions 45 are withdrawn, and after water ballast has been added if desired the reinforced. concrete roof is constructed ; the piling side walls 41 are cut off at the river bed and the water and sand core of the tunnel is extracted. In building bridge piers, a foundation hole the size of the pillar is formed by corrugated sheet piling walls 41, Fig. 20, and partitions 48 formed of reinforced concrete beams are introduced under water after formation of the sill 42. The space between the portions 48 is filled with ballast which may consist of poor concrete. The pier is completed after removal of the water from the building hole, the filling material and partitions being left as part of the structure if desired.