Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
  • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
  • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
  • E04C5/00—Reinforcing elements, e.g. for concrete; Auxiliary elements therefor
  • E04C5/16—Auxiliary parts for reinforcements, e.g. connectors, spacers, stirrups
  • E04C5/162—Connectors or means for connecting parts for reinforcements
  • E04C5/166—Connectors or means for connecting parts for reinforcements the reinforcements running in different directions
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B28—WORKING CEMENT, CLAY, OR STONE
  • B28B—SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER
  • B28B23/00—Arrangements specially adapted for the production of shaped articles with elements wholly or partly embedded in the moulding material; Production of reinforced objects
  • B28B23/02—Arrangements specially adapted for the production of shaped articles with elements wholly or partly embedded in the moulding material; Production of reinforced objects wherein the elements are reinforcing members
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B28—WORKING CEMENT, CLAY, OR STONE
  • B28B—SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER
  • B28B7/00—Moulds; Cores; Mandrels
  • B28B7/0029—Moulds or moulding surfaces not covered by B28B7/0058 - B28B7/36 and B28B7/40 - B28B7/465, e.g. moulds assembled from several parts
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B28—WORKING CEMENT, CLAY, OR STONE
  • B28B—SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER
  • B28B7/00—Moulds; Cores; Mandrels
  • B28B7/16—Moulds for making shaped articles with cavities or holes open to the surface, e.g. with blind holes
  • B28B7/18—Moulds for making shaped articles with cavities or holes open to the surface, e.g. with blind holes the holes passing completely through the article
  • B28B7/183—Moulds for making shaped articles with cavities or holes open to the surface, e.g. with blind holes the holes passing completely through the article for building blocks or similar block-shaped objects
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
  • E02B3/00—Engineering works in connection with control or use of streams, rivers, coasts, or other marine sites; Sealings or joints for engineering works in general
  • E02B3/04—Structures or apparatus for, or methods of, protecting banks, coasts, or harbours
  • E02B3/06—Moles; Piers; Quays; Quay walls; Groynes; Breakwaters ; Wave dissipating walls; Quay equipment
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
  • E02B3/00—Engineering works in connection with control or use of streams, rivers, coasts, or other marine sites; Sealings or joints for engineering works in general
  • E02B3/20—Equipment for shipping on coasts, in harbours or on other fixed marine structures, e.g. bollards
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
  • E02D29/00—Independent underground or underwater structures; Retaining walls
  • E02D29/16—Arrangement or construction of joints in foundation structures
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
  • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
  • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
  • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
  • E02B17/025—Reinforced concrete structures
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
  • E02B3/00—Engineering works in connection with control or use of streams, rivers, coasts, or other marine sites; Sealings or joints for engineering works in general
  • E02B3/04—Structures or apparatus for, or methods of, protecting banks, coasts, or harbours
  • E02B3/12—Revetment of banks, dams, watercourses, or the like, e.g. the sea-floor
  • E02B3/129—Polyhedrons, tetrapods or similar bodies, whether or not threaded on strings

Definitions

• This invention relates to offshore structures and methods for their construction and more particularly to modular constructions useful for deep-water ports and artificial islands.
• the breakwater and pier are in fact independent structures, in which the breakwater comprises a mound of sand, gravel, rocks, and/or rubble piled up against the seaward side of the pier, upon which a plurality of caisson-like structures are placed.
• this design also suffers from the problems that the breakwater cannot be constructed without extensive dredging operations and that the breakwater and the pier are not a single modular structure.
• the present invention provides a solution to the problems described above and an answer to the need for a new way of thinking about port design. It is one object of the present invention to provide perforated structure mountable onto a seabed for establishing a deep-water port or an artificial island.
• the aforesaid structure comprises: (a) a plurality of prefabricated perforated modules integratable into said structure; (b) at least one connector interconnecting corner portions of said prefabricated perforated modules.
• each prefabricated perforated module has a corner portion comprising a concave surface such that said corner portions being integrated together into said structure form a cavity to be filled with a concrete.
• the connector comprises a crosspiece having three arms orthogonal to each other; each arm has a cross-like cross section.
• the crosspiece has reinforcing members distributed within said concrete.
• the aforesaid method comprises the steps of (a) providing a plurality of prefabricated perforated modules integratable into said structure; each prefabricated perforated module has a corner portion comprising a concave surface such that said corner portions being integrated together into said structure form a cavity to be filled with a concrete; (b) providing at least one connector; (c) positioning corner portions of said prefabricated perforated modules such that a cavity surrounding said corner portions is formed; (d) mounting said connector comprising crosspiece having three arms orthogonal to each other within formed cavity; each arm has a cross-like cross section; said crosspiece has reinforcing members; and (e) filling said cavity with concrete such that said reinforcing members distributed within said concrete.
• FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a modular marine structure unit 10 (prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,245 assigned to Kent and Alkon) used to construct the breakwater underdeck 2;
• FIG. 2 shows how the transport of a prefabricated modular unit 10 (or of an assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected units) to the site of the port;
• FIGS. 3 and 4 show top views of the assembled port with a cutaway view showing the placement of a modular unit 10, said modular unit being shown in one embodiment;
• FIG. 5 shows a cutaway assembly diagram illustrating how modular structure units 10 are connected to form the breakwater underdeck 2;
• FIG. 6 shows a view of the fully-constructed port 100 showing the upper pier deck 1 and breakwater underdeck 2, illustrating how the fully-constructed port sits in the water;
• FIG. 7 shows a cutaway view of the port 100 illustrating the construction of the breakwater deck 2 from modular units 10 and the positions of the upper deck 1 and of the underdeck 2 relative to each other and to the water;
• FIG. 8 shows a view of a harbor that includes an integrated deep water port 100;
• FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an environmentally friendly artificial island;
• FIG. 10 is another schematic three-dimensional view of the environmentally friendly artificial island according to yet another design and embodiment
• FIG. 11 is still another schematic three-dimensional view of the environmentally friendly artificial island according to yet another design and embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a connector for interconnecting prefabricated units
• FIGs 13a to 13f illustrates stages of establishing a structure mountable on a seabed
• FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a connector for mounted within a structure mountable on a seabed.
• Breakwater a barrier designed to protect a harbor or shore from the impact of waves.
• Perforated modular marine structure unit a structural module for underwater construction, which has cut-outs or passages such that when immersed in a body of water, the water may pass through it.
• a perforated modular marine structure unit 10 is shown with a shape constituting a rectangular parallelepiped 12 defined by six planar faces with lower base vertices ABCD and upper base vertices EFGH.
• the parallelepiped is a geometrical cube with sides about 10 m long.
• Four non-adjacent corners of the cube, in this case, B, D, E, and G, are cut out, leaving surfaces SB, SD (not seen in the view illustrated in FIG. 1), and SG-
• FIG. 1 the particular embodiment shown in FIG.
• the perforated modular marine structures are formed with reinforcing diagonal beams (RDBs) 30 extending along the six diagonals on the planar surfaces remaining from the faces of the original cube.
• the RDBs may comprise reinforcing elements, for example, steel rods 32, and material embedding the reinforcing elements, e.g. concrete.
• Recesses 42 are formed on the cube's surface at the corners of the module. When two to eight modular marine structure units 10 are arranged about a common corner, these recesses form cavities that serve as a mold for casting concrete or injecting grout to create corner joints. Similar recesses 52 may be formed along the diagonals, as shown in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 1 shows one example of the design of a perforated modular marine unit, but the construction of the underdeck 2 is not restricted to this specific design for the modular units 10.
• an integrated deepwater offshore port 100 which comprises an upper pier deck 1 and an under-deck 2.
• the upper pier deck is constructed of materials appropriate for use in salt water. It is designed for mooring of mega-ships, as a base for heavy cranes and other equipment used for on-loading and off-loading of cargo to and from the ships, and as a temporary location for cargo to be loaded onto the container ships or to be transferred to the container terminal.
• the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 shows the upper deck as having a rectangular profile, but due to the modular nature of the port's construction, the exact dimensions and shape of the upper deck will necessarily vary from embodiment to embodiment according to the specific needs of the port itself. Similarly, the exact dimensions and shape of the under-deck will be chosen in order to provide support for the upper deck, and will thus vary depending on the needs of the specific port being constructed.
• the under-deck 2 is constructed from a plurality of perforated modular marine structure units 10.
• the perforated modular marine structure units are prefabricated and designed such that they are capable of interconnection, and are constructed from material that is compatible with long-term immersion in salt water.
• FIG. 1 One embodiment of said perforated modular marine structure unit is presented in FIG. 1.
• This embodiment illustrates the essential qualities of the unit, in particular, its modularity (i.e. construction of the under-deck 2 is done by interconnecting a plurality of identical elements as illustrated in FIG. 5), its interconnectability, and its ability to allow water to pass through it.
• water flows through cut out portions of the structure.
• the unit may contain passages or be itself constructed from smaller sub-units in order to allow passage of water.
• FIG. 2 is provided to illustrate the construction of the integrated dock, and is not intended to limit its construction to use of the specific embodiment shown in the figure.
• the under-deck sits directly on the natural sea floor and is constructed from prefabricated modular marine units 10 which are constructed on-shore, and the upper deck sits atop the mega- structure.
• the elements are interconnected (cf. FIG. 5) in dry dock.
• a platform of at least one level is built. It is possible to build further structures atop the platform, with the platform itself serving as a foundation for the structures.
• the dry dock is filled with water to float the platform and everything on top of it.
• the platform is then towed (afloat) to its ultimate location in deep water, at which point water is allowed to enter the cavities within the modular marine units, causing them to sink to the sea floor, thus creating the breakwater port.
• the elements may be interconnected in wet dock and the port then towed to its ultimate location.
• the under-deck is constructed from perforated units, it acts naturally as an efficient breakwater, providing still water on its landward side, and thus enabling the upper deck to act as a pier or wharf for cargo ships without the need for construction of a separate dedicated breakwater.
• the perforated units additionally can serve as a habitat for underwater flora and fauna, and hence, the under-deck as constructed can also serve as the basis of a man-made reef.
• An artificial island 100 comprises integrally configured an underwater portion 20, an above-water platform 30, and accommodation facilities 40.
• the underwater portion 20 further comprises at least one open-ended passageway and sits directly on a surface of a seabed 10.
• the underwater portion 20 is assembled from perforated modular units 25.
• the above-water platform 30 being mechanically fixated to the underwater portion 20 carries the accommodation facilities 40 on upper surface of the aforesaid platform 30.
• marine fauna 60 and a scuba diver 50 are indicated in sea water.
• the underwater portion 20 is furnished with means for forming artificial reefs.
• the aforesaid means constitutes special metal, plastic or any other additional members mechanically connected to perforated modular units 25 to increase an area of contacting sea water to the underwater portion 20.
• Connector 300 designed for interconnecting corner portions of units 25 (not shown).
• Connector 300 comprises a crosspiece having three arms 110, 120 and 130 orthogonal to each other. Each of arms 110, 120 and 130 has a cross-like cross section.
• Connector 300 is provided with reinforcing members 150, 160, and 170 which are in planes defined by 120-130 (X-Y), 110-130 (Y-Z) and 110-120 (X-Z). Additionally, reinforcing members exemplarily indicated as 140 and welded to arms 110, 120 and 130 are connectable to the corner portions of units 25.
• FIGs 13a to 13f illustrating stages of establishing a structure mountable on a seabed.
• Numeral 210 refers to the corner portions of units 25. Corner portion 220 of each unit 25 is provided with concave surface 220 such that when units 25 are assembled into a structure to be established, these concave surfaces 220 forms a cavity to be fill with concrete (described below).
• FIG.14 showing connector 300 mounted into cavity 310. Connector 300 is mechanically connected to corner portions 210 of units 25 by reinforcing members 140. Connector 300 is mounted within cavity 230 which is filled with concrete after mounting all units 25 forming cavity 230. Filling with concrete is performed via channel 240.
• units 25 are mounted such that surfaces 220 at corner portions 210 form cavity 230. Then, connector 300 is mounted into cavity 230. Thereat members 140 are mechanically connected to corner portions 210. Thereafter, cavity 230 is filled with concrete via channel 240.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Paleontology (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Revetment (AREA)
• Artificial Fish Reefs (AREA)
• Earth Drilling (AREA)
• Peptides Or Proteins (AREA)

Priority Applications (7)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

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• 2016
  • 2016-12-01 DK DK16870131.6T patent/DK3384095T3/da active
  • 2016-12-01 WO PCT/IL2016/051289 patent/WO2017094013A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2016-12-01 JP JP2018548303A patent/JP6778759B2/ja active Active
  • 2016-12-01 ES ES16870131T patent/ES2830323T3/es active Active
  • 2016-12-01 PT PT168701316T patent/PT3384095T/pt unknown
  • 2016-12-01 BR BR112018011257-7A patent/BR112018011257A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2016-12-01 EP EP16870131.6A patent/EP3384095B1/en active Active
  • 2016-12-01 SG SG11201804634RA patent/SG11201804634RA/en unknown
• 2018
  • 2018-06-03 IL IL259757A patent/IL259757B/en unknown

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