Improvements in the Method of Constructing Harbour Moles, Break- waters; Bridge Piers, and other Marine Constructions, and in Blocks therefor.
Year: 1899

page_text: Complete Specification Left, 10th Jan., 1900-Accepted, 17th Feb., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of Constructing Harbour Moles, Break-
waters; Bridge Piers, and other Marine Constructions, and in Blocks
therefor.
I, NICOLAJ RUDOLF JECKEL, of Gamle Skagen, Jutland, in the Kingdom of
Denmark, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates partly to a method of constructing harbour moles,
breakwaters, bridge piers and other marine constructions and partly to the
construction of the concrete or beton blocks employed for such works.
The invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure is a perspective view of the beton or concrete block;
Figure 2, a plan view of same;
Figure 3, a plan view of a portion of a dam or mole;
Figure 4, a view of the method employed in the construction of a bridge
pier or foundation; and
Figure 5, a plan view on an enlarged scale of such a bridge pier or foundation
itself.
The beton or concrete blocks A provided for the construction are provided on
each of their sides with four double hooks a which lie in series two and two in
vertical grooves or recesses b. Figures 1 and 2, in the sides of the concrete block.
The double hooks are preferably formed by the ends of iron bars c which are cast
in the mass of concrete that is to say embedded therein. The block of concrete
nay of course be provided at both ends with double hooks a which according to
circumstances may also lie in recesses b, Figure 5, like those first mentioned or
may project from the ends of the blocks (see Figures 1-3).
The blocks have holes d passing through them vertically, and the sides may
have vertical semicircular channels e. Finally the corners of the vertical
blocks may be cut out so as to form quadrant shaped grooves f.
When moles, dams or the like are to be constructed, the separate beton
blocks thus formed are arranged side by side and one above the other and
are formed into a connected whole by double T-irons (girders) which are placed
vertically between the blocks. The beton blocks are conveyed by means of a
crane over the upper ends of the girders B (see Figure 3) so that their hooks a
engage over the flanges of the girders and the blocks slide slowly down them.
The blocks A are let down slowly one after the other and will of course stand
exactly one above the other so that their holes d will coincide with one another
as is also the case with the grooves e and f in the blocks which are placed side by
side and will thus also form vertical tubular passages between the separate rows
of blocks which passages as well as the passages formed by the holes will
extend from the upper surface of the structure or built-up mass down to the bed

page_text: '
of the sea. Before the blocks are lowered, containers with suitable cement are
arranged between them. These containers are squashed as soon as the weight
of one block bears upon another, the cement runs out and binds
each two blocks together. Along the outer edge of the upper surface of
the blocks, a thin strip of wood may be provided which prevents the cement
running out and being washed away by the sea. Through the vertical passages
formed by the holes d, iron tubes of smaller diameter are passed which are pro-
vided with a borer at their lowest end. If then water bespumped up through
these iron tubes the sand will rise through the hole & round the iron tube in a
similar manner to what it does in artesian boreholes or wells. The blocks A will
gradually sink with the pumping up of the sand, so that finally it is possible to
place them on solid ground. When the blocks have been sunk to the desired
depth, the construction is gradually continued. If the girders B. are too short,
they are lengthened by pieces of suitable length being attached thereto. The
pieces are connected with the girders by means of connecting pieces, bolts, nuts
or the like.
.:
:
As soon as a long piece of a dam or a mole is finished the vertical grooves
between the separate blocks A are tightly closed. This tight-closing, may take
place in the following way-Double T-shaped irons or girders are inserted in
the hooks a (see left hand side of Figure 3) which are arranged on the ends of
the blocks A which project from the side of the mole, and a frame 1) is inserted
in the free flanges of the said girders, C. This frame carries planks g connected
with the frame by means of joint pieces, the inner side of which planks are
covered with a stuffed pad or cushion which is pressed by means of a lever
arrangement acting against the planks or the like against the openings (channels,
cracks or the like) between two adjacent blocks and thus closes such openings.
As soon as this has been done all the openings are filled with cement which is
poured down through pipes and which pipes are gradually drawn up so that the
filling material rises beneath them. In this manner the blocks are combined
to a coherent whole or mass.
f..
In order to construct bridge foundations or piers an iron framework E (see
Figures 4 and 5) is first vertically erected over the spot where the centre of the
pier is to be. The framework projects to a suitable extent above the water level
and is held in a vertical position by means of suitable anchorings. On each side
of the frame B girders of double -irons are screwed along which the blocks A
are allowed to descend. These supports commence a little way above the level
of the water and extend somewhat into the bed or ground.
The concrete or beton blocks are conveyed over the beams or supports by
means of cranes which may be arranged on each of the four corners of the
framework or scaffold E in the manner of building cranes or derricks. When
the blocks lying closest to the framework E have been placed in position the
outer blocks are laid in the manner hereinbefore described for the construction of
moles and the piers themselves are constructed in a quite similar manner to the
moles. As soon as the pier is finished the framework E may be removed. It is
self-evident that the number of the hooks may be varied and the method of
connecting the same with the beton blocks may also be varied and be arranged
according to requirements.
=
The blocks A may also have any suitable form other than exactly prismatic.
They might equally well be rounded more particularly for constructions in which
round corners are prescribed, such for instance as round bridge piers or founda-
tions or the like.
:
Tated this 11th day at Mand. 1900
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6. Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in the Method of Constructing Harbour Moles, Break-
waters, Bridge Piers, and other Marine Constructions, and in Blocks
therefor.
I, NICOLAJ RUDOLF JECKEL, of Gamle Skagen, Jutland, in the Kingdom of
Denmark, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This invention relates to a method of constructing harbour moles, breakwaters,
bridge piers and other marine constructions and foundations for same and to the
construction of the concrete or beton blocks employed for such works, and
consists in blocks being guided along profiled irons erected vertically or inclined
in such a way that they embrace or engage the profile irons by means of devices
arranged on the blocks and slide down the said irons. By means of this arrange-
ment the construction of such moles or the like is easy and rapid whilst the
mutual position of the blocks is always secured.
The invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the beton or concrete block;
Figure 2, a plan view of same;
Figure 3, a plan view of a portion of a dam or mole showing an arrangement
for insuring the vertical position of the profile irons during the construction of
the mole.
Figure 4, a view of the method employed in the construction of a bridge pier
or foundation; and
:
Figure 5, a plan view on an enlarged scale of such a bridge pier or foundation
itself.
Figure 6 a plan view of another form of construction of a block.
Figure 7 a side view and Figure 8 a view in perspective of the arrangement
for ensuring the vertical position of the profile irons during construction.
Figures 9 and 10 an arrangement for sinking or embedding the blocks in the
ground.
Figs. 11 to 12 are detail views.
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 show other forms as will be described hereinafter.
The beton or concrete blocks A. Figs. 1 and 2 employed for the construction
are provided on each of their sides with double hooks a which lie in series two
and two in vertical grooves or recesses b, in the sides of the concrete block. The
hooks are preferably formed by iron bars e being embedded in the mass of concrete
in such a way that the hook shaped ends engage in grooves b. The grooves b
may be omitted and the hooks may project from the ends of the blocks (see for
instance Figures and 2).
The blocks have holes passing through them vertically, and the slides may
have vertical semicircular channels e, which equally with the channels f formed
on the corners of the blocks are intended also to form vertical passages running
right through (Fig. 3).
When moles, dams or the like are to be constructed, the separate beton blocks
thus formed are arranged side by side and one above the other and are formed
into a connected whole by profiled irons B which are placed vertically between
the blocks and on which the latter are guided when being lowered.
In the form of construction shown as an example the profile irons B are
preferably of a double T iron shape and their flanges are engaged by the
hooks a
During the lowering of the blocks the profile irons B are held in
their vertical position by means of frames i (Figs. 3, 7 and 8) said frames also

page_text: engaging with hooks or the like over the profile irons and being of such dimen-
sions that the irons are thereby held above at the same distance from the blocks
already put together as below. The beton blocks are conveyed by means of a
crane Fig. 7 over the upper ends of the girders or profile irons B and then
lowered as shown in Fig. 8 in such a way that their hooks a engage over the
flanges of the irons and the latter thus serve for guiding and fixing the blocks A
which will then stand exactly one above the other so that their holes d will
coincide with one another as is also the case with the grooves e and in the
blocks which are placed side by side.
In order to firmly bind the superimposed blocks together thin sacks or con-
tainers of fragile material filled with suitable cement are arranged between them.
These containers are squashed as soon as the weight of one block bears upon
another, the cement runs out and binds each two blocks together. In order how-
ever to prevent the cement running into the holes d and the holes formed by the
grooves and c, the former are surrounded by a small ridge cast on the upper
surface of each block or with a tow ring k (Fig. 6) whilst the grooves f and e
are protected by a low ridge surrounding the upper edge of the block. These
ridges or beads are preferably made very low or eventually so constructed that
they are pressed flat by the block placed thereon.
Through the vertical passages formed by the holes d, and fe iron tubes of
smaller diameter are passed into the laid masonry and may if preferred be
provided with a borer at their lowest end. Through these iron tubes the sand or
earth may be pumped up by means of a pump and thereby blocks A will
gradually sink to the desired depth.
In Figs. 9 and 10 the arrangement necessary for this is shown somewhat altered
the blocks having no holes in the centre but only the side grooves f and e
whilst the lowest block has a pipe m running from the upper end of a groove f
downwards into the centre of the block, in the upper end of which pipe, a pipe n
for pumping up the earth or sand is inserted. Of course the girders or irons B
may be lengthened upwards during the building by pieces of suitable length
being attached thereto by means of connecting pieces, bolts, nuts or the like.
As soon as a certain piece of a construction is finished the vertical grooves
between the separate blocks A are tightly closed. This tight-closing may take
place as shown in Fig. 3 in the following way:-Double T shaped irons or
girders Care inserted in the hooks a (see left hand side of Figure 3) which are
arranged on the ends of the blocks A which project from the side of the mole,
and a frame is engaged over the free flanges of the said girders C. This frame
carries a plank g, the inner side of which plank is covered with a stuffed pad or
cushion which is pressed by means of a pressing arrangement (lever or screw)
against the openings (channels, cracks or the like) between two adjacent 4
blocks and thus closes such openings. As soon as this has been done the pump
pipes are withdrawn from the holes and the latter are filled with cement which
fills all interstices. Special pipes which are gradually drawn up as the filling
with cement increases may also be inserted in the holes. In this manner the
blocks are combined to a coherent whole or mass.
4
In order to construct bridge foundations or piers, an iron framework E (see
Figures 4 and 5) is first vertically erected over the spot where the centre of the
pier is to be. The framework may project to a suitable extent above the water
level and is held on the ground in a vertical position by means of suitable
anchorings. On each side of the frame, girders B of double T-irons are screwed 5
which serve for guiding and fixing the blocks A immediately surrounding them
in the manner hereinbefore described. The outer blocks are then laid in the
manner described with reference to Figure 3. When the pier or foundation is
completed the iron framework E is removed and the resulting hollow space may
either be left free or filled with cement.
It is self evident that the blocks A may have any suitable form other
than exactly prismatic. They might equally well be rounded or segment shaped,
·5

page_text: more particularly for constructions in which round corners are prescribed, such
for instance as round bridge piers or foundations or the like.
The shape of the profile irons and the hooks belonging thereto arranged in the
blocks may also be varied, thus Figure 11 shows a double T-iron, the flanges
of which are engaged by the hooks a.
Figure 12 shows a profile which instead of engaging hooks requires irons
with engaging heads. Figure 12 shows a similar profile only that the two
channels serving for receiving the heads are held further apart by means of a
central bar. Figure 13 is another form of construction of the separate blocks in
so far as here the hooks for engaging the profiled iron are arranged on the
vertical edges of the blocks instead of on the sides. When the blocks are put
together there thus result interstices between each four of the same which may be
filled with cement.
Figure 14 shows further the half of a bridge pier seen from above which in
order to produce a large hollow space in the centre is provided with iron frames
of larger size than those in the forms of construction shown in Fiures 4 and 5.
This method has the advantage of enabling each vertical row of blocks to be
laid at different depths independently of the next row by a suitable removal of the
foundations (ground).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1
1. The method of constructing under water, moles, dams, bridge piers or
foundations and other constructions. characterized by the building blocks which
are to be laid side by side and one above the other being guided and slid down
vertically or obliquely erected profile girders of iron or other suitable material.
said blocks engaging the said profile girders, by means of suitable devices and
being in this manner connected with one another substantially as hereinbefore set
forth.
יד
1 1
Qu
1
T
1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.