Caisson

Abstract

A caisson for marine works particularly intended for use in vertical dikes which is formed by a plurality of segments ( 1 ) meant for being joined co-laterally therebetween by joining means to form a ground slab, wherein the segments ( 1 ) comprise an internal sector ( 2 ), lateral sectors ( 3 ) and an external sector ( 4 ), where said external sector ( 4 ) incorporates coupling elements; and by a series of voussoirs ( 5 ) meant for being disposed co-laterally therebetween and on the ground slab to form a surface of revolution, having an upper side ( 6 ), lateral sides ( 7 ) with interlocking means for interlocking the voussoirs ( 5 ) therebetween and a lower side ( 8 ) meant for being inserted in the segment ( 1 ) coupling elements. All of the caisson's elements are manufactured from fibre-reinforced polymer materials.

1 . A caisson for marine works particularly intended for use in vertical dikes, characterised in that it comprises:
 a plurality of segments ( 1 ) meant for being co-laterally joined therebetween by joining means to form a ground slab, wherein the segments ( 1 ) comprise an internal sector ( 2 ), lateral sectors ( 3 ) and an external sector ( 4 ) wherein said external sector ( 4 ) incorporates coupling means; and   a series of voussoirs ( 5 ) meant for being disposed co-laterally therebetween and on the perimeter of the ground slab to form a closed surface in the interior of which a main space ( 15 ) is created, having an upper side ( 6 ), a lower side ( 8 ) and lateral sides ( 7 ), having interlocking means for interlocking the voussoirs ( 5 ) therebetween, the lower side ( 8 ) of which is meant for being coupled to the segments ( 1 );   the segments ( 1 ) and voussoirs ( 5 ) are manufactured from fibre-reinforced polymer materials.   
     
     
         2 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , wherein the voussoirs ( 5 ) also comprise an outer wall ( 10 ) and an inner wall ( 11 ) joined together by means of the lateral sides ( 7 ), creating an internal space ( 13 ). 
     
     
         3 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , wherein the segments ( 1 ) form a polygonal ground slab. 
     
     
         4 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , wherein the segments ( 1 ) form a circular ground slab. 
     
     
         5 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising a central body ( 9 ), also manufactured from fibre-reinforced polymer materials, that forms part of the ground slab, whereto the internal sectors ( 2 ) of the segments ( 1 ) are joined by corresponding joining means. 
     
     
         6 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , wherein the joining means used are seawater-resistant chemical joining means. 
     
     
         7 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , wherein the joining means are rivets. 
     
     
         8 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , wherein the joining means are dovetail joints. 
     
     
         9 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , wherein the joining means are any combination of seawater-resistant adhesives, rivets and dovetail joints. 
     
     
         10 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , wherein the segments ( 1 ) comprise a receptacle ( 12 ) that is in contact with the external sector ( 4 ) meant for housing the lower side ( 8 ) of the voussoirs ( 5 ). 
     
     
         11 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , wherein the voussoirs ( 5 ) comprise longitudinal stiffeners. 
     
     
         12 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , wherein the fibre reinforced with polymer materials is selected from among fiberglass and carbon fibre with epoxy resin or polyester. 
     
     
         13 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal sector ( 2 ) of the segments ( 1 ) has a geometric shape that matches the shape of the central body ( 9 ). 
     
     
         14 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , wherein the voussoirs ( 5 ) have a geometric shape that matches the shape of the external sector ( 4 ) of the segments ( 1 ). 
     
     
         15 . A caisson for marine works, according to  claim 1 , wherein it additionally comprises a plurality of stiffeners in the interior of the main space ( 15 ). 
     
     
         16 . A process for assembling a caisson for marine works such as that described in  claims 1  to  15 , wherein it comprises the following stages:
 joining the segments ( 1 ) co-laterally therebetween using the joining means; 
 joining the voussoirs ( 5 ) co-laterally therebetween using the joining means for joining the voussoirs ( 5 ) and to the segments ( 1 ) interlocking the lower side ( 8 ) with the segment coupling elements to form a revolving body. 
 
     
     
         17 . An assembly process, according to  claim 16 , wherein it comprises a stage of joining the segments ( 1 ) to the central body ( 9 ). 
     
     
         18 . An assembly process, according to  claim 16 , wherein the segments ( 1 ) and the voussoirs ( 5 ) are transported to a pier where the assembly will take place. 
     
     
         19 . An assembly process, according to  claim 16 , wherein it comprises a stage of inserting the lower side ( 8 ) of the voussoirs ( 5 ) in the interior of the receptacle ( 12 ) of the segments ( 1 ) during the stage of joining the voussoirs ( 5 ) to the segments ( 1 ). 
     
     
         20 . An assembly process, according to  claim 16 , wherein it subsequently comprises a stage in which stiffeners are inserted in the interior of the main space ( 15 ). 
     
     
         21 . An assembly process, according to  claim 16 , wherein the stiffeners are diametric flat elements meant for joining opposing voussoirs ( 5 ) together, giving the caisson ( 14 ) greater resistance and rigidity once assembled. 
     
     
         22 . An assembly process, according to  claim 16 , wherein it subsequently comprises the following stages:
 launching the caisson ( 14 );   ballasting the caisson ( 14 ) by partially filling the main space ( 15 );   towing the caisson ( 14 ) by sea to its final location; and   anchoring the caisson ( 14 ) by filling the main space ( 15 ).