GB237347A - Improvements in or relating to reinforced concrete structures and removable reinforcements therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

237,347. Wade, J. R. April 25, 1924. Breakivaters, sea walls, and the like; caissons.-A reinforced concrete structure for use in the construction of breakwaters and like subaqueous structures has associated therewith temporary reinforcement members of a kind such as steel railway or tramway rails adapted to take the stresses on the structure during transport and to serve their normal purpose after removal. Fig. 2 is a plan of a concrete caisson a for the construction of a breakwater. The caisson is a rectangular structure, reinforced by longitudinal walls c and transverse walls d, and having deck-like horizontal partitions e, f, Fig. 3. Wells g are provided to give access to the chambers h, i in which the tension members j, j<1> forming the removable reinforcement are located. These members consist of rails suitable for use in railway construction in the locality where the breakwater is to be built, and the shackles L and couplings m are designed to permit fish-plates m<1> to be used as packing pieces, and preferably the shackles are so designed that some of their components l<1> can be cut off and used as fish-plates. For coupling the rails j, j<1> elsewhere than at a compartment wall two shackles m are attached to the rails by means of bolts, and connected together by means of double-threaded bolts n passed through lugs m<2>. The parts m<1> of the shackles are adapted for use as fish-plates. The rails' are anchored to the concrete walls by castings or forgings l having arms l<1> between which the rails are bolted. The tension is transferred through the, walls by double-threaded bolts n passing through pipes o in the walls. Diagonal tie-rods q are provided which may be attached to separate anchorages, but are preferably anchored to the castings l. The bottom of the structure may consist of a number of independent units constructed separately and then joined by inserting the lower reinforcement members j. These units may be cast above high water at neap tide with walls p high enough to enable them to be floated off at high water at spring tide. When seasoned they are towed out and bolted up, using the members j or lighter temporary reinforcement members which can be removed when the structure is completed and the members j put in. In addition, permanent concrete reinforcement r may be filled in. The completed caisson may be transferred to the site where the breakwater is to be located either by towing, by fitting engines thereto, or by building into the structure one or two obsolete stream boats or tugs.