Caisson

Abstract

A caisson for maritime works, consisting of a base ( 1 ) and at least one lateral wall ( 2 ) attached to the same and formed by a plurality of voussoirs ( 3 ). Within the same a main space ( 4 ) is defined, intended to receive granular material as ballast. The voussoirs ( 3 ) feature an upper side ( 5 ), a lower side ( 6 ) and lateral sides ( 7 ) and are arranged with the lateral sides ( 7 ) of adjacent voussoirs ( 3 ) attached to each other, forming horizontal segments ( 8 ). Said horizontal segments ( 8 ) are attached to other identical horizontal segments ( 8 ) to define the lateral wall ( 2 ) by means of the union of the lower sides ( 6 ) and upper sides ( 5 ) of the voussoirs ( 3 ) forming the same. The base ( 1 ) has a geometric shape which coincides with the geometric shape of the horizontal segments ( 8 ). A procedure for the assembly of said caisson for maritime works is also described.

1 . A caisson for maritime works comprising a base ( 1 ), and at least one lateral wall ( 2 ) attached to the same and formed by a plurality of voussoirs ( 3 ) forming a closed surface within which a main space ( 4 ), intended to receive ballast material, is defined, and the caisson is characterised in that:
 the voussoirs ( 3 ) have an upper side ( 5 ), a lower side ( 6 ) and lateral sides ( 7 ), and are arranged with lateral sides ( 7 ) of adjacent voussoirs ( 3 ) joined to each other forming horizontal segments ( 8 ), and said horizontal segments ( 8 ) are joined to other identical horizontal segments ( 8 ) to define the lateral wall ( 2 ) of the casing by means of the union of the upper sides ( 5 ) and lower sides ( 6 ) of the voussoirs ( 3 ) forming the same,   the base ( 1 ) has a geometric shape which coincides with the geometric shape of the horizontal segments ( 8 ).   
     
     
         2 . A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the voussoirs ( 3 ) are of fibre-reinforced polymer material. 
     
     
         3 . A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the base ( 1 ) is metallic. 
     
     
         4 . A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the base ( 1 ) is of fibre-reinforced polymer material. 
     
     
         5 . A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the lateral wall ( 2 ) has a cylindrical configuration and the base ( 1 ) has a circular configuration. 
     
     
         6 . A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the joints between horizontal segments ( 8 ) are chemical or mechanical joints. 
     
     
         7 . A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a plurality of vertical columns ( 9 ) attached to the voussoirs ( 3 ). 
     
     
         8 . A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in  claim 7 , characterised in that the joints between the vertical columns ( 9 ) and the voussoirs ( 3 ) are chemical or mechanical joints. 
     
     
         9 . A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in  claim 7 , characterised in that the vertical columns ( 9 ) are formwork intended to receive reinforced concrete in their interior and are configured to transmit the weight of the upper concrete slab, laid on the lateral wall of the casing as a cover for the main space ( 4 ), to the base( 1 ). 
     
     
         10 . A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in  claim 9 , characterised in that the formwork is metallic or made of fibre. 
     
     
         11 . A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the joints between the voussoirs ( 3 ) are any combination of chemical or mechanical joints. 
     
     
         12 . A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in  claim 1  or  4 , characterised in that the fibre of the polymer material is selected between glass fibre and carbon fibre, with epoxy, polyester or vinylester resin. 
     
     
         13 . A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a plurality of primary stiffeners ( 10 ) at its base. 
     
     
         14 . A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a plurality of secondary stiffeners arranged within the main space ( 4 ) and attached to the voussoirs ( 3 ). 
     
     
         15 . A procedure for the assembly of a caisson for maritime works such as that described in  claims 1  to  14 , characterised in that it comprises the following stages:
 joining a voussoir ( 3 ) to the base ( 1 ) by its lower side ( 6 ), 
 joining voussoirs ( 3 ) adjacent to the aforementioned voissoir by their lateral sides ( 7 ) and to the base ( 1 ) by their lower sides ( 6 ) so as to form a first horizontal segment ( 8 ), 
 joining a voussoir ( 3 ) by its lower side ( 6 ) to the upper side ( 5 ) of the voussoirs ( 3 ) of the horizontal segment ( 8 ) immediately below, 
 joining voussoirs ( 3 ) adjacent to the aforementioned voissoir by their lateral sides ( 7 ) and to the horizontal segment ( 8 ) immediately below by their lower sides ( 6 ) so as to form the next horizontal segment ( 8 ), 
 repeating the above stages until the lateral wall ( 2 ) is completed. 
 
     
     
         16 . A procedure for the assembly of a caisson for maritime works such as that described in  claims 1  to  14 , characterised in that it comprises the following stages:
 joining adjacent voissoirs together by their lateral sides ( 7 ) to form the horizontal segments ( 8 ), 
 joining one horizontal segment ( 8 ) to the base ( 1 ) by the lower sides ( 6 ) of the voussoirs ( 3 ) forming said segment, 
 joining together the remaining horizontal segments ( 8 ) to said horizontal segment ( 8 ) attached to the base ( 1 ) to form the lateral wall ( 2 ). 
 
     
     
         17 . A procedure for the assembly of a caisson for maritime works such as that described in  claims 1  to  14 , characterised in that it comprises the following stages:
 joining adjacent voussoirs together by their lateral sides ( 7 ) to form the horizontal segments ( 8 ), 
 joining together the horizontal segments ( 8 ) by the lower sides ( 6 ) and upper sides ( 5 ) of the voussoirs of which they are formed, so as to form the lateral wall ( 2 ), 
 joining the lateral wall ( 2 ) to the base ( 1 ) by joining the lower sides ( 6 ) of the svoussoirs ( 3 ) forming the lowest horizontal segment to the base ( 1 ). 
 
     
     
         18 . A procedure for the assembly of a caisson as claimed in one of  claims 15  to  17 , characterised in that it further comprises a stage of placing vertical columns ( 9 ) in the main space ( 4 ) and joining said vertical columns ( 9 ) to the voussoirs ( 3 ). 
     
     
         19 . A procedure for the assembly of a caisson as claimed in  claim 18 , characterised in that it comprises a stage of filling the interior of the vertical columns ( 9 ) with reinforced concrete. 
     
     
         20 . A procedure for the assembly of a caisson as claimed in one of  claims 15  to  17 , characterised in that it comprises a stage of joining primary stiffeners ( 10 ) to the base ( 1 ). 
     
     
         21 . A procedure for the assembly of a caisson as claimed in one of  claims 15  to  17 , characterised in that it subsequently comprises the following stages:
 launching the caisson in the sea, 
 ballasting the caisson by partially filling the main space ( 4 ), 
 towing the casing by sea to its final position, 
 sinking the casing by filling the main space ( 4 ).