GB120745A - Improvements in Reinforced Concrete Construction of Ships, Floating Docks, Pontoons and the like. - Google Patents

Abstract

120,745. Ritchie, H. C., and Kahn, M. Aug. 13, 1917. Concrete vessels and pontoons.- Reinforcedconcrete ships, floating docks, pontoons, &c. are built up of pre-cast and matured unit sections, each comprising a portion of the shell, preferably with flanges at either side, the units being assembled with the flanges abutting to form one set of frame members, preferably the transverse frames, the other set of intersecting frame members being then cast in situ so as to be integral with the assembled units both as regards concrete and the steel reinforcement bars. Fig. 1 shows assembled side units A with the flanges a<2> joined to form transverse trame members. The units A abut at the bottom against bilge units F, Fig. 3, and a longitudinal stringer C is moulded along the joint on bars c' which pass through holes a', a<10>, f<6>, f<10> in the transverse frame members a<2> and are united by stirrups and links c<2>, c<3>. Longitudinal or diagonallyarranged framing-bars a<7>, a<8> pass through other holes a<6> in the flanges a<2> of the units, and are anchored at the ends, for example, in the side stringer C and in the sheer-strake member B. The reinforcements a<5> of the transverse frame flanges a<2> are anchored to the longitudinal reinforcements of the frame members which are cast in situ, for example, to the bars b<1> of the sheer strake B, as shown, and to the bars c<1> of the side stringer by curving round the bottom holes a<6>, a<10>. Additional outer holes a<10> are provided to take additional bracing members or bars, as a<11>, as are required for strength, and such bars may be used to form intermediate side stringers cast in situ. In building up the bottom of the ship, the ends of the bottom units E terminate at one end in the centre keel G and at the other end in the bilge keel H, both cast in situ after the reinforcement of the bilge and floor units have been anchored to those of the keels. The deck beams are pre-cast in units D and terminate in the sheer strake B and the hatch coamings P which are both cast in situ. The deck d<2> and inner ship's bottom M also are cast in situ on expanded-metal sheeting. The transverse bulkheads may be constructed either in situ or precast in unit sections. The stern post may be of cast or forged steel with anchoring pieces to embed in the concrete hull. The ship may also have longitudinal under-deck beams integral with the hatch coamings with columns underneath between the several decks and in the hold, all cast in situ. Watertight joints between the abutting flanges are obtained by running waterproofed cement between them and by recessing the edges thereof and keying the recess with bitumen &c. This system of construction facilitates repairs as damaged units may be removed and replaced.