Underwater Construction

Even though it’s widely called underwater construction, most of the construction happens in dry areas. These areas may be a contained chamber, a closed area that had the water pumped out, or on dry land. These dry areas make underwater construction a lot safer than being fully underwater, even though there is still an aspect of commercial diving involved. 

What Is A Cofferdam?

A cofferdam is one of the aforementioned dry areas. It’s constructed by lowering welded steel into the water around where you want to build. Once the pillars are lowered in, they’re made air tight. Then, water is pumped out to create a dry area that’s safe for construction. They are typically dismantled once construction is complete. Some cofferdams are inflatable and can be moved or reused on different jobs. 

This is not to be confused with a caisson, which is an enclosed box-like structure that is lowered onto the sea floor in deeper waters. The type of job and depth of water typically determines which of these two structures will be used. Caissons are usually used for smaller, deeper jobs. Cofferdams are normally seen in more shallow, larger jobs. 

Uses for Cofferdams

Bridges:

Bridge supports are the best example of a structure that needs to be built with a cofferdam. A cofferdam has an open air top, making it perfect for building a large pillar that supports a bridge. 

Shoreline Restoration:

Less of a structure, but still relevant. Cofferdams are perfect for shoreline restoration because they can be modified to contain more or less area. A half circle shaped cofferdam will help keep water out and allow workers to fix the shoreline. 

Boat Ramps:

Boat ramps become easy to repair with cofferdams. Like a shoreline restoration, boat ramps are half in the water, making it hard to use structures that aren’t flexible. A portable cofferdam will easily conform to the shoreline, making it easy to build or fix a boat ramp. 

Pipelines:

Pipelines typically run lengthwise, parallel to the ground. Cofferdams can be any shape or size depending on what the job needs, making pipeline repairs a walk in the park. 

Pool Repair:

Most people drain a pool entirely when repairing it, but a cofferdam can help save water by isolating the area that needs repair.

Why Build Underwater?

Can’t we build something on land and lower it into the water? The short answer is that we do, but some things can only be built underwater. Bridges, for example, need to be built into the sea floor. This improves structural integrity and safety for travelers. Without accessing the sea floor, the bridge would not be secured. Whether you’re using a cofferdam or a caisson, it’s important to always keep safety in mind.

Sole Source Underwater is your destination for underwater construction. From planning to implementation, Sole Source Underwater has you covered. Call us at (401) 712-2700 or visit our website.