Method for turning over a concrete body and method for the production of a concrete vessel hull and method for the production of a vessel

Abstract

The present invention relates a method for turning over a concrete body that is U-shaped in cross-section, from a first position in which the free ends of the arms of the U-shape point downwards into a second position in which the free ends of the arms of the U-shape point upwards. The method, for a concrete body in the first position, comprises the following steps: (a) providing the concrete body with at least one essentially closed tank extending over the width of the U-shape, containing a freely fluid layer, such as a layer of water; (b) making the concrete body float in water; (c) after steps (a) and (b) exerting a rotational moment about an axis of rotation extending transversely to the U-shape on the concrete body such that the fluid layer is displaced in the direction supporting the rotational moment. The invention furthermore relates to a method for the production of a vessel, such as a houseboat, using the method for turning over a concrete body.

1 . Method for turning over a concrete body that is U-shaped in cross-section, from a first position in which the free ends of the arms of the U-shape point downwards into a second position in which the free ends of the arms of the U-shape point upwards, wherein the method, for a concrete body in the first position, comprises the following steps: 
 (a) providing the concrete body with at least one essentially closed tank extending over the width of the U-shape, containing a freely fluid layer, such as a layer of water;    (b) making the concrete body float in water;    (c) after steps (a) and (b) exerting a rotational moment about an axis of rotation extending transversely to the U-shape on the concrete body such that the fluid layer is displaced in the direction supporting the rotational moment.    
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more floats are provided between the arms of the U-shape.  
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 2 , wherein the floats comprise the tanks from step (a).  
     
     
         4 . Method according to one of claims  1 - 3 , wherein the concrete body is secured against floating off in a manner permitting rotation about the axis of rotation.  
     
     
         5 . Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one tank is removed after the concrete body has been turned into the second position.  
     
     
         6 . Method for the production of a concrete vessel hull for a vessel, such as a houseboat, wherein the vessel hull is a concrete body of U-shaped cross-section, wherein the vessel hull is poured upside down in a dock and wherein after the vessel hull has set the vessel hull is turned over using the method according to one of the preceding claims.  
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 6 , wherein step (c) is carried out by allowing the dock to fill with water.  
     
     
         8 . Method for the production of a vessel, such as a houseboat, wherein a concrete vessel hull is produced using the method according to one of claims  6 - 7  and wherein, after the vessel hull has been turned over, construction of the houseboat is completed while the vessel hull is floating in the water.