CAISSON FOUNDATION

INTRODUCTION

The term caisson has been derived from the French

word CAISSEE, meaning BOX.

It can be round or rectangle in plan.

It is commonly used where foundation under water is

done.

It can sunk from surface of either land or water to the

desired depth.

TYPES OF CAISSON
Open caisson
Box caisson
Pneumatic caisson

OPEN CAISSON

Also called as well caisson.

They are open at both the ends.

These are boxes of timber, steel or R.C or masonry.

Small caisson consists of one opening or well, while

larger one contain a series of wells.

PROCEDURE

The caisson is cast and flatted to the site and sunk.

When it reaches the required depth concrete is

deposited through water to some depth.

After the concrete gets hardened, the water will be

pumped out.

The caisson is finally filled completely with concrete.

BOX CAISSON

Also called as Floating caisson.

They are open at top and closed at bottom.

They can be made of steel, R.C or timber.

PROCEDURE
The caisson is built on land, then launched and brought
to the site where they have to be sunk.
They are filled with concrete or stone masonry and
sunk until it rests on the river bed, which has been
prepared to receive it, or on a pile cluster to form a
lower part of a bridge pier.

TOWING OF CAISSON

APPLICATIONS OF BOX CAISSON

Bearing stratum is available at shallow depth
Loads are not heavy
For wharfs and break waters

PNEUMATIC CAISSON
Pneumatic" means "with air" Caisson" means "a box
The pneumatic caisson method works on the same
principle as a cup pressed into some water upside
down

EXECUTION OF THE PNEUMATIC CAISSON

1.Preparation of the ground for installation
We level surface of working site where the caisson
is to be installed and improve the surface conditions
so that appropriate supporting force can be supplied.

2.Construction of working chamber

We construct a working chamber at a bottom of
the caisson, in which earth is excavated and removed.
The chamber is pressurized to the same pressure as
the ground water pressure to make it watertight

EXECUTION OF THE PNEUMATIC CAISSON

3. Rigging

Cylindrical steel shafts are used for workers to

enter or exit the pressurized working chamber and to
remove excavated earth. These shafts have locks (for
both men and materials) to regulate the difference
between the atmospheric pressure on the ground and
the pressure in the chamber. Installation of such locks
and shafts is called "rigging work".

4. Repeated excavation to sink & construct

caisson
We excavate and construct the caisson every 4m
height, and repeatedly sink it by excavating the
ground and constructing it to the desired depth.

EXECUTION OF THE PNEUMATIC CAISSON

5. Testing the bearing capacity of soil
After the caisson has sunk to the specified depth,
we test and confirm that if sufficient bearing
capacity of soil has been obtained.

6. After concrete filling for working

chamber
After confirming the bearing capacity, we remove
equipments in the working chamber and fill
concrete, which means completion of works.

1.PREPARATION OF THE GROUND FOR

INSTALLATION

2.CONSTRUCTION OF WORKING
CHAMBER

3.RIGGING

4a.REPEATED EXCAVATING TO SINK

AND CONSTRUCT THE CAISSON

4b.REPEATED EXCAVATING TO SINK

AND CONSTRUCT THE CAISSON

5.TESTING THE BEARING CAPACITY OF

SOIL

6.AFTER CONCRETE FILLING FOR

WORKING CHAMBER

APPLICATIONS
The Pneumatic Caisson Method is used for many
different structures:

Foundations of road and railway bridges

Subway tunnels facilities

Basements and foundations buildings

Water supply and sewage facilities

Other facilities (e.g. garbage pits)

FOUNDATIONS OF ROAD AND RAILWAY

BRIDGES

BRIDGES CONSTRUCTED AT THE

WATER DEPTH OF 50 TO 60 M.

SUBWAY TUNNELS FACILITIES

BASEMENT AND FOUNDATION BUILDINGS

(Eg. UNDERGROUND PARKING ZONES)

WATER SUPPLY AND SEWAGE FACILITIES

(Eg. TREATMENT PUMP BUILDING)

OTHER FACILITIES (E.G. GARBAGE PITS)

OTHER TYPES
There are few more methods in caisson foundation.

Jacking caisson method

Space System Caisson

JACKING CAISSON METHOD

Jacking caisson method is to sink large scale caisson
thruster into ground by using jacks with rods connected to
earth anchor.

JACKING CAISSON METHOD

Intake shaft of 14 meter . is thrusted in

the ground at 50.7 meter below by using
12 jacks of 240 ton thrust force. The
caisson itself is constructed on the
ground by each rot of 5 meter.

Dimension of 26x19 meter is sunk by 8

jacks in the ground depth 18.5 meter,
while inside of caisson is excavated by
clam shell

SPACE SYSTEM CAISSON

The gravel is filled between wall

surface and ground, and the
skin friction resistance is
reduced.

The SS caisson method gently

and accurately install the
caisson in non-loading.

The problem of the conventional

open caisson method is solved.

FEATURES OF THE SS CAISSON METHOD

It is gently installed only at the dead weight at the good
accuracy.
Subsidence and collapse of the ground in the
circumference are not caused.
It is applicable for various geology.