Floatable structure and method of making same

Abstract

A floatable structure in particular a floatable platform including at least two separate hulls each having a longitudinal axis. Each hull having along the longitudinal axis a succession of hollow concrete segments.

1 . A floatable structure, comprising:
 at least two separate hulls each having a longitudinal axis, each hull comprising along the longitudinal axis a succession of hollow concrete segments, each hollow segment comprising two preformed elements that are connected.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of junction elements spaced along the longitudinal axis, each junction element connecting the two hulls together. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the or each cross-beam element comprising top and lower horizontal beams and diagonal beams connecting the top and lower horizontal beams. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the two preformed elements being half ring elements. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein each hull comprises at least one cast in situ longitudinal beam. 
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 5 , wherein each hollow segment comprising at least one pre-slab for casting the at least one cast in situ longitudinal beam. 
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein each hull comprises post-tensioned tendons extending from one longitudinal end of the hull to the opposite longitudinal end. 
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein each hull is closed by bulkheads at opposite longitudinal ends of the hull. 
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein each hollow segment is connected to a respective cradle. 
     
     
         10 . The structure of  1 , wherein each hollow segment comprises at least one stiffening rib. 
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein each hull comprises at least one internal reinforcement member. 
     
     
         12 . A method for the construction of a floatable structure, the floatable structure comprising at least two separate hulls, the method comprising:
 a) assembling pre-formed concrete elements on respective cradles to form at least two adjacent segments successions,   b) installing junction elements between the at least two adjacent segments successions,   c) casting in situ at least one longitudinal beam along each succession of segments.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising installing pre-slabs on the segments before pouring concrete to form the top longitudinal beam. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising pouring in situ joint between the junction element and the adjacent elements and prestressing the junction element once the joint has hardened. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each pre-formed concrete element is cast horizontally in a U configuration with the concavity of the U oriented upwards, then pivoted vertically by a quarter of turn ready for installing on the cradle. 
     
     
         16 . The structure of  claim 2 , wherein the junction element(s) being cross-beam element(s). 
     
     
         17 . The structure of  claim 3 , wherein the beams comprise a pre-stressing layout. 
     
     
         18 . The structure of  claim 9 , wherein each hollow segment being connected to a respective cradle by bolting. 
     
     
         19 . The structure of  claim 9 , wherein each cradle comprises a shoulder against which an end of the element abuts. 
     
     
         20 . The structure of  claim 11 , wherein the internal reinforcement member bears on the at least one stiffening rib.