Caissons are water retaining structures that give rigidity and stability to structures that

requires underwater construction. Caissons are cylinders or hollow boxes that are sunk to the
desired depths beneath oceans, rivers and other water bodies. They are then filled with concrete
to create a solid foundation for the structure, serving as an anchor. Structures such as concrete
dams and bridge piers generally require a caisson as a base. [1]

Caisson foundations are similar in form to pile foundations but are installed using a
different method. It is used when soil of adequate bearing strength is found below surface layers
of weak materials such as fill or peat. It is a form of deep foundation which are constructed
above ground level, then sunk to the required level by excavating or dredging material from
within the caisson. [2]

Conditions for Caisson Construction

Caisson construction is a complex process. Several factors are to be considered before

and during the construction. Structural conditions, as well as the type of caisson to be used and
the method of installation are some of the valid concerns arising with this process.

In view hereof, the following are the suitable conditions that may require the use of
caisson construction:
1. When the soil contains large boulders, which obstruct the penetration of piles;
2. When the foundation is subjected to large lateral loads;
3. When the depth of the water level is high;
4. When the present groundwater level has aggressive inflow [3]

It is essential that the requirements and processes of caisson construction be satisfied with
utmost certainty. The quality and condition of the caissons determine the stability of the
superstructure, and thus, it is necessary to maintain the highest standards during caisson
construction.

Caisson Technology
Difficulties in the old method of caisson construction such as safety of the workers,
environmental impacts, and expensive cost is what lead to the development of new technology
for a more efficient and sustainable caisson construction.

1. Caisson Technology in the Construction of Port Infrastructures [5]

One construction company named Acciona, developed a series of proprietary technologies that is
committed to the preservation of the environment, prevention of accidents and industrialization
of the construction of caissons.
In this technology, the caisson can be designed to a possible number of configurations, not just in
vertical quays or docks, but they can also be part of sea containers, offshore foundations,
mooring and offshore stations. Furthermore, caisson technology instead of the breakwater option
means that a mixed solution can be applied involving the construction of a dock and a quay at the
same time.

The process involved in the caisson manufacture includes a raft with steel rods to reinforce the
floor of the caisson. After the pouring and setting of the concrete floor, the structure that
suspends the formwork is lowered and the formwork is coupled up as it slides down and the
concrete is poured into the moulds. The finished part of the caisson is submerged in the water,
then the formwork is removed after the construction of the caisson, leaving it ready for the
launch. The caissons will then be anchored, and the tugs take the new caisson and anchor it by
ballasting itself leaving it stable and ready for building the superstructure.

Some of the projects using Acciona’s caisson technology are the following:

1. Wharf No. 1 lengthening at The Naval Base in Rota, Cadiz

A 306.5 m long gravity wall aligned with the existing Wharf No. 1 at Rota was built
along with an 80 m wide, 430 m long and 15 m deep docking pit. The wharf consists of
reinforced concrete caissons.

2. Expansion of Escombreras 6 Dock in Murcia, Phase 1

Construction of breakwaters and jetty that make up the new port area on the
Mediterranean side. The south dike, perimeter dike, and southwest dike consists of
reinforced concrete caissons.

3. La Estaca Port Expansion, Hierro Island, Canary Islands

Construction of a combination sloped wall and caisson dike measuring 165 m in length
and another vertical extension measuring 213 m.

4. El Ferrol outer Harbor Expansion Phases 1 and 2, A Coruña

The wharf serves as an enclosure. It consists of 30 reinforced concrete caissons with a 20

m depth.

5. Port Infrastructure Project outside Isla Verde, Phase 3, Step 1 Seawall, Algeciras Port,
Cadiz

The free-standing seawall measures more than 2 km in length and was built using
lightened reinforced concrete caissons supported on a bed of quarry materials. The
Kugira was used to build this seawall featuring the world’s largest reinforced concrete
caisson measuring 66.85 m in length, 24.6 m in width and 34 m in height.
Sustainability, Renewable Energy, and Caissons

1. Wave Power Extracting Caisson Breakwater

Of the many possible sources of renewable energy, wave energy not only has great potential, but
it also has many positive features. Wave energy is green, it does not emit harmful gases or other
types of pollutants; and it is renewable and reliable, as waves are constant and inexhaustible.

Recent advances in Caisson technology has made effective and efficient extraction of wave
energy a possibility. In Japan, the Ministry of Transport developed a Wave Power Extracting
Caisson. The device functions as a breakwater and as a power-generating device. Its dual
function as power-converter and breakwater actually increases its stability and reduces the cost
of its power-generation. [6]

The caisson converts the waver power to air power through its air chambers. The conversion of
the wave power to air power activates the turbine-generator in the machine room on the caisson.
Despite the device’s special structure, there had been no problems encountered in its construction
[7]
when compared with other breakwaters.

2. Fiber Glass Bar Reinforced Concrete

Use of Fiber glass bars have not yet been applied in construction of caissons yet, but it has
already been used as replacement for steel bars on other maritime structures. Although these bars
initially cost more than steel, it is more cost-effective in the long run if maintenance costs are to
be considered.

Use of this type of reinforcement reduces the need for steel, which is prone to corrosion. This
also saves the use of fresh water as the use of seawater no longer present any problem resulting
from its reaction with steel.

At a glance, fiberglass caissons present a tremendous potential in terms of sustainability. It also

gives the structure more resistance to the elements, particularly to the sea. The application of
Fiber Glass Bar Reinforced Concrete for caissons is still currently being studied and it may not
be long until we see it being actually used for such constructions. [8]

[1] https://www.bygging-uddemann.se/requirements-for-caisson-construction/

[2] https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/caisson-types-construction-advantages/503/

[3] https://civiltoday.com/geotechnical-engineering/foundation-engineering/deep-foundation/152-
caisson-foundation
[5] https://www.acciona.com/pressroom/videos/construction/caisson-technology-in-the-construction-
of-port-infrastructures/

[6] https://journals.tdl.org/icce/index.php/icce/article/view/4941/4621

[7] https://cedb.asce.org/CEDBsearch/record.jsp?dockey=0071550

[8] https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/11/3839/htm