Year: 1885

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
WILLIAM THOMAS CREED, Clerk of Works of 65 Southwater Road St Leonards
on Sea Sussex and ARTHUR CAUSTON Civil Engineer of 50 Southwater Road
St Leonards on Sea Sussex, jointly do hereby declare the nature of our invention
for the objects stated above to be as follows:-
I An improved economical and rapid construction of coffer dams by permanent
plant, where such are required for the erection of locks, wharfs, piers and other
submerged or partly submerged works in rivers and inland waters and other places
where it is desirable to exclude water temporarily during the construction of founda-
tions.
II And in a varied form as a permanent facing for minor works, necessary to be
carried out expeditiously in concrete, by effectually excluding water whilst it is
setting and hardening.
III And also for cheaply and expeditiously excluding water from flooding low
lands and foreshores where the flooding is only a moderate depth.
I It is well known that the present mode of constructing coffer dams, either by
piles, planks and puddle or any of the systems of coffer dams now in use, is an
immense additional expense to any work requiring the exclusion of water during
its erection as besides the excessive cost of labour, it is not often that the material
of these coffer dams can ever be used a second time for similar works.
The object of our invention is the construction of such dams with wrought and
cast iron piles, driven into the ground by steam or hand power in the usual way.
For lucidity of description, we will assume that shown in the annexed drawing,
sheet 1. The hollow square pile, with three flanges, one on each side, and one on
the back, or land side. Fig 4.
These piles are proposed to be accurately spaced from ten to fourteen feet apart,
such spaces to be filled with strongly framed timbers i strengthened with angle
and Tiron d, and covered on the water face c with sheet or corrugated iron,
plain or galvanised; all well secured and bolted together, which we shall call
sheilds.
The lower sheild, will be made with a thin edge at bottom, and covered on both
sides with sheet iron, so that it may be driven into the ground to the depth

page_text: required; the top of the sheild to be flat, having a small indent in the middle of
its width u, for its whole length, in which will be inserted a projecting piece of
india rubber.
On this will come the next sheild, prepared with a similar indent on the
bottom u, and on the top again an indent and india rubber u, so each succeeding
sheild will be prepared and placed on each other, until the required height is
obtained.
Or in lieu of the india rubber an oleagenous cement will be used and entirely fill
up the indent on the lower sheild, and the sheild above will have an iron tongue,
going nearly to the bottom of the indent on the lower sheild and into the cement,
thus effecting a water proof joint.
When the necessary number of sheilds are placed in position, the whole set will
be screwed together by the two screws passing from the top to the bottom sheild e,
securely bolting all together thus effecting water proof joints horizontally.
The framed sheilds at their vertical joint abut on the front of the piles, and also
on the side flange l. The face of each flange is made to form a curved indent, on
the corresponding part of the sheild is inserted a length of india rubber t, the height
of sheilds m, fixed to a sliding bar of wood at each end of the sheild n.
When the necessary number of sheilds are placed in position, and the horizontal
joints secured, the screw in the middle on the inside of each sheild f, is screwed
down, the arms connected to the screw by the moveable part g, act upon the
sliding bar to which the india rubber is fixed, which are both pressed outwards
towards each pile, the india rubber is forced with, pressure into the indent of the
side flange of the piles, effecting water proof vertical joints.
Or in lieu of india rubber the same cement can be used, and the indent filled
with the cement, which would be forced against and into the curved face of the
flange of the pile, with an iron key driven down from the top, effectually excluding
water from the vertical joints.
The piles are shown in the drawings to have pieces of timber filling the inside
Fig 8, for some five feet above the ground line, to further strengthen them, they
will also be firmly strutted from the land or from piles driven for the purpose, upon
which the platform would be built. The flange on the back, in addition to the
increase of strength it gives the pile, is intended to be used for sheilds to be placed
at right angles to the front line of piles, thus shutting off any length desired, whilst
the front line can still be continued.
The sheilds will have on their lower edge, on each face, and at each end, a flat
iron pin h which will be securely bolted through the frame to two other flat iron
pins, which will fit into corresponding eyes h on the upper edge of each sheild for
the purpose of determining with accuracy their position to each other when fixed,
the eyes on the top will also be necessary for the purpose of lowering them vertically
into their position, and raising them for removal. Some of the sheilds will be
provided with a sluice opened and closed by a screw from the top.
The square piles are rolled in three parts, and rivetted together Fig 4, joints
made water proof; they can also be lengthened if required Fig 9, and the shoes
will be either of cast or wrought iron steeled and fixed to piles as shown in sketch,
Fig 10.
To facilitate raising the piles and lower sheild false shoes or rings will be used,
with a strong iron strap reaching above the ground, terminating in a circular ring,
through which a chain may be passed.
The square pile could be driven by a circular ram working inside and falling
upon the inserted timber Fig. 8, which has a ring upon it, like an ordinary pile
head, or from the top, having an iron cap to fit the pile with a timber dolly
between. The round piles may be driven in the same way, or in some grounds
they would be fitted with a suitable screw, and screwed into the ground.
The great advantage of this system of construction of coffer dams, is its speedy 5
erection and great economy, as the whole plant can be used continually, fair wear
being its only detriment.

page_text: II These are light iron piles, rolled with recesses on each side, to receive iron
plates driven into the ground by hand power, at a slope of one or one and one half
in twelve.
These iron plates will have strips of iron rivetted on each side of their vertical
joint, extending a short distance beyound the plate itself, the outer edge of these
strips of iron, will be the guage between the recesses in the piles, thus will be
formed a small aperture, in which india rubber or cement will be placed, as
described in the first part to make the joint water proof. Should more than one
depth be required, others can be connected by a similar strip of iron, rivetted on
the one plate covering the joint, and secured to the plate above with nuts and
screws.
•
To secure the piles in their position, a bolt will pass through each pile & plate if
necessary bolted to a plate of iron in or at back of concrete.
III. For the purpose of excluding flood water of slight depth, two or three feet,
still lighter piles, similarly formed are proposed, as also plates and joints likewise
rendered water proof. These piles and plates would be most speedy and efficient
in restoring breaches in sea walls, and could be maintained while earth work is
formed and consolidated.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
We WILLIAM THOMAS CREED, Clerk of Works, late of 65 Southwater Road
St Leonards on Sea Sussex now of 13 Shirlock Road Mansfield Road Haverstock
Hill London N.W. and ARTHUR CAUSTON Civil Engineer of 50 Southwater Road
St Leonards on Sea Sussex do hereby declare the nature of our invention for
the objects stated above and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
1st An improved, economical and rapid construction of coffer dams by permanent
plant, where such are required for the erection of locks wharfs piers and other
submerged or partly submerged works in rivers and inland waters and other places
where it is desirable to exclude water temporarily during the construction of
foundations.
2ndly And in a varied form as a permanent facing for minor works necessary to
be carried out expeditiously in concrete, by effectually excluding water whilst it is
setting and hardening.
3rdly And also for cheaply and expeditiously excluding water from flooding low
lands and foreshores where the flooding is only a moderate depth.
1st It is well known that the present mode of constructing coffer dams, either by
piles, planks and puddle, or any of the systems of coffer dams now in use, is an
immense additional expense to any work requiring the exclusion of water during
its erection, as besides the excessive cost of labour, it is not often that the material
of these coffer dams can ever be used a second time for similar works.
The following italic letters refer to the same points on all the drawing on
sheet 1.
The object of our Invention is the construction of such dams with wrought and
cast iron piles, driven into the ground by steam or hand power in the usual way,
for lucidity of description, we will assume that shown in the drawing filed with
our Provisional Specification, Sheet 1, the hollow square pile, with three flanges,
one on each side, and one on the back, or land side Figure 4.
These piles are proposed to be accurately spaced from ten to fourteen feet apart,
such spaces to be filled with strongly framed timbers i strengthened with angle
and Tiron d and covered on the water face e, with sheet or corrugated iron, plain
or galvanised, all well secured and bolted together, which we shall call shields.
The lower shield, will be made with a thin edge at bottom, and covered on both
sides with sheet iron, so that it may be driven into the ground to the depth
required, in some ground an open shield would be first used and the ground
prepared to receive the cutting shield. The top of the shield to be flat having a
small indent in the middle of its width u for its whole length, in which will be
inserted a projecting piece of india rubber.
On this will come the next shield, prepared with a similar indent on the bottom u,
and on the top again an indent and india rubber u, so each succeeding shield, will
be prepared and placed on each other, until the required height is obtained.

page_text: Or in lieu of india rubber an oleagenous cement will be used and entirely fill up
he indent on the lower shield, and the shield above will have an iron tongue,
going nearly to the bottom of the indent on the lower shield and into the cement,
hus effecting a water proof joint.
When the necessary number of shields are placed in position, the whole set will
be screwed together by the two screws passing from the top to the bottom shield e,
securely bolting altogether, thus effecting waterproof joints horizontally.
The framed shields at their vertical joint abut on the front of the piles v, and
also on the side flange l, the face of each flange is made to form a curved indent,
on the corresponding part of the shield is inserted a length of india rubber t, the
height of shield m, fixed to a sliding bar of wood at each end of the shield n.
When the necessary number of shields are placed in position, and the horizontal
joints secured, the screw in the middle on the inside of each shield f, is screwed
down, the arms g, connected to the screw by the movable part, act upon the sliding
bar k, to which the india rubber is fixed, which are both pressed outwards towards
each pile, the india rubber is forced with pressure into the indent of the side flange
of the piles, effecting waterproof vertical joints, or in lieu of shields to use cassions
between and bearing on the piles and flanges rendering them similarly water-
tight.
The piles are shewn in the drawing to have pieces of timber filling the inside
Figure 8, for some five feet above the ground line, to further strengthen them, they
will also be firmly strutted from the land or from piles driven for the purpose,
upon which the platform would be built. The flange on the back, in addition to
the increase of strength it gives the pile, is intended to be used for shields to be
placed at right angles to the front line of piles, thus shutting off any length desired,
whilst the front line of piles can still be continued.
The shields will have on their lower edge on each face, and at each end, a flat
iron pin h, which will be securely bolted through the frame to two other flat iron
pins, which will fit into corresponding eyes h, on the upper edge of each shield for
the purpose of determining with accuracy their position to each other when fixed,
the eyes on the top will also be necessary for the purpose of lowering them
vertically into their position, and raising them for removal, some of the shields
will be provided with a sluice opened and closed by a screw from the top.
The square piles are rolled in three parts, and rivetted together Figure 4, joints
made waterproof, they can also be lengthened if required Figure 9 and the shoes
will be either of cast or wrought iron or steel and fixed to piles as shewn in
sketch Fig. 10.
To facilitate raising the piles and lower shield, false shoes or rings will be used,
with a strong iron strap reaching above the ground, terminating in a circular ring
through which a chain may be passed.
The square pile could be driven by a circular ram, working inside and falling
upon the inserted timber Fig. 8. which has a ring upon it, like an ordinary pile
head or from the top having an iron cap to fit the pile with a timber dolly between
these piles are accurately driven through a guage or spacing frame, provided for
the purpose, the round piles may be driven in the same way, or in some grounds
they would be fitted with a suitable screw and screwed into the ground.
Figure 1. Elevation of pile-towards the land.
Figure 2. Elevation of pile towards the water.
Figure 3. Three shields in section and side elevation of pile.
A. Surface of water B. Surface of ground C D E. Different form of piles.
o. Iron frame moving laterally connected with arm g.
p. Iron horizontal tie rod connecting piles.
r. plan of pile and head of inserted timber pile.
8. Iron plating of shield.
Figure 5. 6. 7. plans of three different forms of piles with: shields in position.
5

page_text: The following italic letters refer to the same points on all the drawings in this
sheet. A Surface water. B Surface of ground C. Surface of sloping bank.
Figure 1. plan of platform a being platform piles, b cross girders bolted to
cap of pile through the bottom flange as in Figure 2. c longitudinal girders bolted
through their bottom flange, to the top flange of the cross girders b. d. the planking
of platform secured by screws through the upper flange of the longitudinal
girders c, m four rails screwed to planking for two lifting cranes, that they may
pass each other without inconvenience e square piles in proper position relatively
to the platform and its piles.
Figure 2-plan of the platform pile a, with a section of telescopic cap to facilitate
the levelling of the platform l. The platform piles are to be either cast in one or
rolled in two sections and rivetted together as may be found most suitable for the
work, and fitted with a shoe or a screw, these piles are also to have at their ground
line a strong shoulder upon which the castings i. k. are to rest where the self
adjusting shores ff g.g. h. h. are in position.
Figure 3. plan of shoring the square or main piles e, from the land side platform
piles a, by a system of self adjusting shores, when the bank or land is not available,
these shores are of wood or wood and iron combined, for some positions will be
made telescopic, to enable them to be lengthened or shortened as the ground may
require. The two different shaped castings i. k. are made to fit easily on the land
side piles and lowered to their position on shoulders of the pile at the ground line,
having previously ascertained their proper lengths and placed the heels of the
shores f. g. h in the sockets prepared for them, and bolted loosely to secure them
in their place, to enable them to work easily, also allowing some lateral movement
to keep them out of the way whilst the main piles are driven which they are
intended to strengthen, and are temporarily suspended to the girders at the proper
height for connecting the shores to the main piles. The bolt holes at ends of
shores are slotted, that the bearing may be on their ends, not on the bolts. These
castings are placed over the piles before the telescopic caps are fixed.
Figure 4. Section of platform a being platform piles, e the square pile in elevation,
and fg. h, the shores against it. n is the bed plate of wood, on each side of the
back flange of the pile, to which a piece of angle iron is screwed o, see plan
Figure 5 and also two pieces of iron plate to unite them on the face of the flange p.
As soon as the pile is ready to receive the shores, the casting is raised on platform
pile a, until the head of the shore g. is above the surface of water, when the bed
plate is brought into use, and the bolt put through the eye of the shore g on each
side of the flange, the bolt passing on the face of the flange, and screwed by the
nut. The casting is then lowered on the platform pile and the bed plate also on
pile e, until it reaches the point on the bed plate for the two shores h, when its bolt
is likewise passed through and secured, then the casting is lowered to its resting
place, the two shores f. are then brought to their position against the angle iron of
the bed plate, and two blocks of wood q. Figures 4 and Figure 5 is bolted through
the two blocks of wood and also the flange of the pile, thus securing the whole set of
shores immovably in their places 8 are shields in position on frontage line, or in
lieu of shields to use cassions as previously described.
Figure 5 larger scale plan, showing the respective blocks q and junction of the
shores f. g. h more clearly, r being also a block of wood of the width of flange,
between shores h. h. and g. g. through which the bolt passes.
Figure 6. Is a shield in position at right angles to the frontage line of dam, one
or more as may be required at each end of the length arranged for commencement
of the wall to be erected. In the case of a steep bank c. we should by a change
of piles as shewn finish the ends of our dam with some light iron piles and shields
after which the water would be pumped out of the space thus enclosed, To be

page_text: enabled to carry on the building of the wall continuously a similar division would
be formed one shields length within the space enclosed, made good against the
finished face of the wall which will form the end of the next space to be enclosed,
the former end can be removed and the space pumped dry and the building of wall
continued without a break in the work and the necessity of enclosing the whole
length previous to commencement of work avoided, as well as a great saving in
amount of plant, the requisite number of piles and shields could be ascertained and
thus made to travel from end to end of any length of work.
The great advantage of this system of construction of coffer dams is its speedy
erection and great economy as the whole plant can be used continually, fair wear
being its only detriment.
2ndly These are light iron piles rolled with recesses on each side t. Figure 6.
Figure 7 and Figure 8 to receive iron plates v, driven into the ground by hand
power, at a slope of one or one and one half in twelve.
This iron plate v will have strips of iron rivetted on each side of their vertical
joint u extending a short distance beyond the plate itself, the outer edge of these
strips of iron, will be the guage abutting on the recesses in the piles, thus will be
formed a small aperture, in which india rubber or cement will be placed as described
in the first part to make the joint waterproof. Should more than one depth of
plate be required, others can be connected by similar strips of iron, rivetted on the
one plate covering the joint, and secured to the plate above by nuts and screws w.
To secure the piles, in their position, a bolt will be passed through each pile, and
plate if necessary bolted to a plate of iron in, or at back of concrete.
3rdly For the purpose of excluding flood water of slight depth, two or three feet,
still lighter piles, similarly formed are proposed, as also plates and joints likewise
rendered waterproof. These piles and plates would be most speedy and efficient in
restoring breaches in sea walls, and could be maintained while earthwork is formed
and consolidated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, We would have it
clearly understood that we do not limit ourselves to the exact shapes, proportions
or dimensions as our Invention is capable of various modifications both in con-
struction and application as may be expedient or necessary in any particular case
without departing from our invention as herein before described, but we declare that
what we claim is
1st The various forms of piles and construction of same of rolled or cast iron,
with the mode of accurately spacing the main piles by a guage or spacing frame
and of driving the said piles with a timber pile and ram inside, also mode of joining
the piles for increasing their length also the mode of fastening the shoes and also
of levelling the platform by the telescopic cap to piles.
2ndly The construction of the various shields for filling in the spaces between the
piles, or for the use of cassions in lieu of shields between and bearing on the piles
and flanges similarly rendered watertight also the mode of forming waterproof
joints with india rubber and screws or cement and keys, also the system of shoring
from platform piles and securing the same to main piles, as well as the mode of
using iron piles and plates for facing concrete walls & and for prevention of
flooding, and mode of making the same water tight.