IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARBOURS, BREAKWATERS, DOCKS, AND OTHER " PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Robert Kinipple, of No. 2, Westminster
Chambers, in the County of Middlesex, and of Greenock, in the County of
Renfrew, North Britain, Civil Engineer, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARBOURS, BREAKWATERS, DOCKS, AND OTHER
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Robert Kinipple
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th October 1881.
WALTER ROBERT KINIPPLE, of No. 2, Westminster Chambers, in the County of
Middlesex, and of Greenock, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, Civil
Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARBOURS, BREAKWATERS,
DOCKS, AND OTHER SUBMERGED OR PARTLY SUBMERGED STRUCTURES."
46
This Invention, which relates to improvements in the construction of harbours,
break waters, docks, and other submerged or partly submerged structures, has for
its object to facilitate the carrying out of such works by simplifying the mechanical
arrangements used, and by lessening the time occupied in their construction.
The Invention consists as follows:-After the bottom has been prepared by
dredging, or excavating, or blasting, and by filling up the cavities or irregularities
therein by small blocks of concrete in a partially set or plastic condition, the same
being rammed together and made level for the reception of the superstructure in
founding thereon larger blocks of concrete which are lowered into their positions
on the said prepared foundation in the sea, river, or other bottom.
When these larger blocks are so lowered, their bedding surfaces are rubbed
together so as to abrade the skin of each, and thereby cause clean cementing
surfaces to bed together, thus forming a jointless mass.
The blocks on either
sides and across the ends so made constitute the outer sides and partition walls of
sections or portions of the submerged structure and the hollow central portions,
or pockets, or cells, are filled up with concrete, either liquid or partly set.
À channel iron or equivalent guide is laid on or in the upper surface of the
uppermost of the side blocks of concrete, this being for the purpose of receiving
[Price 10dl

page_text: thereon a travelling or sliding casing or chamber whose interior section corresponds
to the outline of the finished work. This chamber is made by preference double
cased, with an adjustable interior lining, for the purpose of facilitating its being
slid or drawn off the section of concrete which has set within it, thereby enabling
it to be advanced forwards for the reception of the next charge of concrete and
the continuation of the work. The casing is formed with one or more man holes
at the top, into which the concrete is poured, and it is generally of cellular structure
for the purpose of giving it buoyancy, weight, and strength.
The aforesaid casing may be lightened by pumping out the water or weighted by
pumping it in above the level of the water in which it is situated, or by otherwise
weighting it, as, for instance, by pig iron.
In the event of the bottom being suitable without the laying down of the
larger concrete blocks hereinbefore described, the channel iron, or equivalent guides
for the reception of the casing, may be laid on the prepared bottom.
When the casing hereinbefore described is used for the construction of a break-
water, mole, or other structure projecting into the sea, one end of it is formed
with a rounded or pointed nose or beak so as to enclose it at the outer point.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Walter Robert Kinipple in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th April 1882.
WALTER ROBERT KINIPPLE, of 2, Westminster Chambers, in the County of
Middlesex, and of Greenock, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, Civil
Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARBOURS, BREAKWATERS,
DOCKS, AND OTHER SUBMERGED OR PARTLY SUBMERGED STRUCTURES."
"
My said Invention relates to improvements in the construction of harbours,
breakwaters, docks, and other submerged or partly submerged structures, and has
for its object to facilitate the carrying out of such works by simplifying the
mechanical arrangements used, and by lessening the time occupied in their
construction.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I now proceed
more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being had to the
accompanying Sheets of Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon,
that is to say,
Figure 1, Sheet 1, represents a cross section of a sea pier in course of con-
struction; Figuro 2, Sheet 2, a longitudinal section of the same; and Figure 3,
Sheet 3, a plan of the same; Figure 4, Sheet 2, is a plan of a casing for harbour
walls and sea groynes; Figure 5, Sheet 4, is a cross section of a breakwater shewing
the portion below low water constructed with facings of blocks of concrete, and the
upper portion within a casing; Figure 6, Sheet 4, is a plan of saine shewing blocks
and concrete below low water; Figure 7, Sheet 4, is an elevation and longitudinal
section of same; Figure 8, Sheet 4, is an alternative method of forming concrete
blocks; Figure 9, Sheet 1, is a cross section of a breakwater shewing the system
of forming moulds for the reception of plastic concrete below low water by the
aid of bags of sand or other material, and sail cloth; Figure 10, Sheet 1, is a plan
of the same; Figure 11, Sheet 5, is a longitudinal section of the same shewing the
work in progress; Figure 12, Sheet 5, is a cross section shewing the system of
forming a breakwater with plastic concrete held in form by iron guides and timber
planking; Figure 13, Sheet 6, is an elevation of the same; Figure 14, Sheet 5,
shews the iron guides for the timber planking; and Figure 15, Sheet 5, is a plan of
the iron guides, timber planking, and distance links or bars; Figure 16, Sheet 4,
is a cross section of a breakwater formed by the aid of a concreto caisson; Figure 17,
Sheet 6, is a plan of the same; Figure 18, Sheet 4, is a cross section shewing
another design for a breakwater formed by the aid of a concrete caisson; Figure 19,
Sheet 6, is a plan of the same.
After the bottom of the sea, river, harbour, or channel has been prepared by
dredging or by excavating the softer materials, or by blasting out the rock or
boulders to the form A, A, A, or to such other form, according to the nature of the
bottom, as may be required for preparing a platform or base on which the pier,
quay-wall or breakwater is to be founded, or for providing a level surface on which
the casing or chamber B, B, B, is to travel or slide; the trench so prepared is
levelled up to the line C, C, C, with small lumps or portions of concrete in a
partially set or plastic condition, the same being rammed together and made level
for the reception of the casing B, B, B, or the outer facing blocks of the sub-
structure of the breakwater or pier D, as shewn on Figure 5, by founding thereon
blocks of plastic or partially set concrete E, E, E, which are lowered into their
positions on the said prepared foundations in the sea, river, or other bottom.
When the blocks E, E, E, have been lowered, their bedding and vertical joint faces
are rubbed together so as to abrade the skin of each, and thereby cause clean

page_text: cementing surfaces to bed or adhere together, thus forming the whole into a
monolithic mass.
The blocks E, E, E, on either side, and at intervals across the width of the pier
or breakwater, are so laid as to construct or form the outer sides and partition
walls of sections or portions of the submerged structure, and the hollow central
portions, pockets, or cells F, F, between the walls so formed are fitted up with
concrete, either liquid or partly set. The blocks E, E, may be of the forms shewn
on Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, Sheet 4, or of any other suitable form or shape.
The materials for the concrete to be used under water, whether in the form of
blocks, plastic concrete, or concrete caissons, are to be mixed with fresh water, and
for the concrete above water level to be mixed with salt water.
The vertical joints of the blocks and also the beds are made of such forms as to
admit of cement grout partly set or otherwise being poured or rammed into them
at each course through vertical holes G, G, G, in the joints, which cement when so
rammed makes solid joints, and cements, keys, or joggles together the whole of the
blocks into a solid or monolithic mass. The horizontal and vertical outer face
joints of the blocks E, E, have small dovetailed grooves X, X, formed in the same,
and these grooves are filled with oakum, tallow, clay, or quick setting cement, in
order to make watertight joints to prevent the escape of the cement grout, partly
set or otherwise.
After the surface C, C, C, has been prepared as before described, iron stakes or
stools H, H, H, as shewn on Figures 1, 2, and 3, are driven down into the concrete
whilst it is in a comparatively soft state at convenient distances apart. On the
tops of these stakes are laid transverse sleepers with ledges, and these are after-
wards surrounded by plastic concrete and kept firmly in position. When the
sleepers have been properly lovelled, a channel iron or equivalent guide may be
Jaid on the same for the reception of the travelling or sliding casing which may be
mounted on rollers J, J, as shewn at one side of Figure 1, or the guide may be
omitted if the casing has sliding pieces of timber I attached to its bottom instead
of rollers, as shewn at the opposite side of Figure 1.
The travelling or sliding casing may be formed as shewn at Figure 1, or any
other suitable or convenient form or method of construction may be adopted. The
casing is made by preference.cellular, with an outer and inner lining, so as to
enclose a space, as hereinafter described. It is also provided with an adjustable
interior lining for the purpose of relieving the moulds or sides K, K, K, from the
newly made work, which is done by relieving or raising the adjustable lining by
means of screws L, L, the moulds being attached to the casing by hinges M, M; or
the moulds may be relieved or raised by wedges or otherwise. This adjustable
lining is for the purpose of making the pier or breakwater of the form shewn on
Figure 1, or of any other form within the interior of the casing, and is for the
purpose of facilitating the casing being slid or drawn off the skin of concrete which
has set within it, thereby enabling the casing to be advanced for the reception of
the next charge of concrete and the continuation of the work. The casing may be
formed with one or more manholes N at the top through which concrete may be
deposited into the work. The greater portion of the materials for the construction
of the pier or breakwater may be conveyed through tunnels O, O, in the pier or
breakwater from the shore end, or any intermediate point in the completed pier
into the part in course of construction at P. The casing B, B, is generally of a
strong cellular construction, and is provided with valves, and is of such dimensions
that when the valves are closed and the casing emptied or partly emptied of water
or other ballast, sufficient buoyancy is obtained to enable the whole structure to be
floated away to other works. The casing while in position during the construction
of the works is ballasted down upon the foundations, and the valves remain open
to allow the tide to rise and fall within the casing, and to give additional security
to the casing during stormy weather; water may be pumped into it above the
level of the sea outside, or it may be otherwise loaded, as for instance with pig iron.
Various means are used for making watertight joints at the inner end of the.

page_text: casing at the points Q, Q, by means of india rubber or leather pipes let into
grooves, and after each movement forward or adjustment of the casing, these pipes
are filled with water and subjected to hydraulic pressure, and are thus swelled out
or forced against or into the irregularities of the face of the structure.
At the points R, R, Figure 1, strips of sail cloth or other material may be
placed to mako watertight joints, and prevent any pumping action or suction by
the disturbance of the sea, or other means may be resorted to for making water-
tight joints, such as by using oakum, wedges, or quick setting cement.
The casing is moved forwards from time to time by hydraulic rams S, S, pressing
the diaphragm T against the face of the newly finished work, or by screws, wedges,
chains, or any other suitable means. When the casing is used for the construction
of a breakwater, mole, or other structure projecting into the sea, one end of it is
formed with a rounded or pointed noso or beak so as to enclose it at the outer
point. On the nose of the casing may be mounted a crane fitted up with a clam,
shell, or dipper dredge, for the purpose of excavating or preparing the bottom of
the river, sea, harbour, or channel for the reception of the concrete, and also for the
purpose of lowering such raised material after it has been mado into concrete
into the works at P. The crane when not at work, or in very stormy weather, is
housed, as shewn at U.
The small casing V, V, shewn on Figures 1 and 4, is for the purpose of forming
a quay wall on the harbour side of the sea pier or breakwater from the prepared
surface C, C, C, herein before described up to any height above low water. The
casing may also be employed for the formation of a mole, or groyne, or small sea
pier. The construction of this casing is similar to that of B, B, B, and it may be
moved in a similar manner. The letters W, W, on Figures 1, 4, and 5, denote man-
holes which are used for depositing concrete in the pier within the casing.
On Figure 5 another application of the small casing V, V, is shewn for con-
structing a portion of the superstructure of a breakwater, the under portion of
which has already been raised to above low water by a facing of plastic blocks of
concrete E, E, E, as hereinbefore described.
The breakwater shewn on Figures 9, 10, and 11 is constructed of blocks of
plastic concrete formed by the aid of bags filled with sand or other material, which
serve as moulds for the reception of these blocks.
Before the blocks are formed or cast the sides of the mould next the bags, and
for 6 or 8 inches down from the top of any previously laid concrete, are lined with
sailcloth Z, Z. The moulds are then filled with plastic concrete and the sailcloth
Z, Z, turned down over the top, and cast iron weights a', a', Figure 11, are placed
on the same to prevent any disturbing action by the sea. After two or three days,
when the blocks are set, the weights, sand bags, and sailcloth are shifted or moved
into another position to form moulds for the casting of the blocks.
Another modification of my system of forming a breakwater of plastic concrete
is shewn on Figures 12 and 13. Wrought iron guides or piles 6², 61, are driven at
distances of several feet apart into the plastic concrete through the eyes of
distance links or bars c', c'. The heads of the piles are held in position longi-
tudinally by similar distance links or bars e¹, e', and transversely by ropes f,, led
to anchors laid at a distance out from the breakwater on either side thereof, and
are secured by adjusting shackles g¹, g³, for the purpose of keeping the heads of the
piles in line. Ropes k', ', also connect the heads of the piles across the line of the
breakwater. At the backs of the piles oak or other planking ¹, ³, is secured to
the piles by loop bolts 2, 3, in such manner that the oak planks, in groups of 2 or 3
secured together, are free to slide down the backs of the piles, as shewn on
Figure 13. Any openings in the joints of the planking are covered by sailcloth
before the fine plastic concrete is placed against the faces. The work is advanced
n steps or stages, as shewn on Figure 13, plastic blocks or bags of sand or other
material being used for forming partition or division walls at intervals for holding
n the concrete, as shown on Figures 5 and 11, and sailcloth and weights are also
employed to cover up each day's work.

page_text: Figures 16, 17, 18, and 19, shew another modification of forming monolithic
breakwaters.
A concrete shell or caisson 1, 1, closed at the bottom and open at the top, is built
on shore in any convenient position, and after being thoroughly set or seasoned is
launched when desired, towed to the site of the breakwater, and when adjusted in
position, water is run into it either by the pipes m', m², or pumped over the side, and
the caisson sunk into position on the prepared bed C, C, C, herein before described.
On the bottom of the caisson raised strips n', n', of plastic concrete are plastered
.on to the bottom before the caisson is floated out, and are formed so as to leave
spaces between the bed C, C, C, and the bottom of the caisson, which are filled up
by Portland cement grout run into them through the pipes m², m³, from above the
water level. In order to cause the plastic concrete strips to adhere to the bottom
of the concrete caisson flat headed nails are driven thereinto, leaving the flat heads
projecting so that the plastic concrete surrounds them. The pipes m³, m³, may
either be built into the caisson on shore, or the holes for this purpose may be bored
after the caisson has been sunk into position.
The caisson may be strengthened by iron rings 01, 0¹, built into the concrete,
as shewn on Figures 16 and 17. At the junction of two caissons dovetailed
grooves X, X, may be formed and filled with oakum, tallow, clay, or quick setting
cement, in order to form watertight joints and prevent any cement from washing
out of the joints. The inside of the caisson may be filled up with plastic or partly
set concrete, and large stones dropped into the body of the same.
f
Figures 16 and 17 shew a design suitable for constructing a large breakwater or
sea pier; Figures 18 and 19 shew a design for a small breakwater groyne or
harbour wall to be similarly constructed.
The upper portions in both designs, which are shewn in dotted lines, may be
formed with a facing of concrete blocks, or by any other suitable method. It is to
be understood that in lieu of formning submerged works of blocks of plastic concrete,
as herein before described, they may in some cases be formed of plastic concreto
deposited in bulk.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may
be used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that I do
not claim the use of bags filled with sand for making moulds, nor do I claim
enclosing a space by means of stakes or piles and planking, nor do I claim the
making of the beds of breakwater or analogous works of concrete caissons floated
out and sunk to their positions in the works being constructed, but what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by
the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The constructing of harbours, breakwaters, docks, and other submerged or
partly submerged structures of plastic, concrete, as hereinbefore described and
shewn upon the annexed Sheets of Drawings.
Second. The arrangement and construction of moveable and adjustable casings
for enabling breakwaters and other submarine or subaqueous works to be con-
structed, as herein before described and shewn at Figures 1 to 5 of the annexed
Sheets of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Walter Robert Kinipple, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty seventh day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
WALTER ROBERT KINIPPLE. (L.S.)