CAISSONS

Caisson is derived from a French word “caisse” meaning a box

It is a deep foundation, rectangular or round in shape, that is sunk from the surface of water or land to the
desired depth

The box structure is permanent and forms part of the sub-structure.

It is generally made of wood, steel or concrete depending upon project requirement.

Through this boxlike chamber, the workmen can make construction work at the bottom of water bodies without
being hampered by the water. Accordingly, this is mainly used to place foundations at river beds.

Caissons are generally made on shore first. Then, They are launched into the water body. The caisson is then
floated to the designated spot.

Then they are sunk vertically to the bottom. After ensuring that the caisson is waterproof, the water inside is
pumped out to dry.
 USES OF CAISSONS
1. To transfer the load of a structure to the hard strata
2. Used as an impervious core wall of earth dams
3. To provide an access to a deep shaft or tunnel
4. Used for foundation of bridges, piers, abutments in river or lake.

TYPES OF CAISSON FOUNDATION

1. BOX CAISSON
-This is the most basic type of caisson made of timber, concrete or steel. It is basically a box without the top, open at the
top and closed at the bottom. Also known as floating caisson

-It is built on shore, cured and floated to the foundation location and sunk to the bottom. It’s mainly used for shallow
depth and for light weight.

-The base where the caisson is to be placed is levelled and the strata is near the ground with sufficient bearing capacity.
The caisson is sunk by filling sand, gravel or concrete in the empty space inside.

-In most cases, the soft natural bottom soil of the river bed is dredged out to some depth and the trench thus formed is
filled with sand to achieve a levelled base. Thus, this avoids tilting of the caisson.
 2. OPEN CAISSON
-This type of caisson has neither the top nor the bottom and is also known as well caisson. When made in a cylindrical
shape, it looks like a well without top or bottom. It can be built in many shapes - vertical, over, or any other option.

In case of building large bridges, a bathtub-like shape is preferred. Usually open caissons are made of steel plates
welded together. RCC can be also used here, as the situation requires.

Components of an open caisson

1.Cutting edge- It provides a sharp edge to cut the soil below during sinking operation.

2. Steining- It is the main body of the well with a minimum thickness of 450mm

3.Bottom plug- It is made of concrete and designed for an upward load equal to the soil
pressure minus self weight of the bottom plug and sand filling.

4. Curb- During sinking, it acts as an extension of cutting edge and provide support to the
well.

5. Sand filling- It transfers a portion of the load from the well cap to the bottom plug

6.Well cap- It transfers the load from the pier to the well

7. Top plug- Supports the well cap

 Common shapes for the open caisson

Method of Construction of a well caisson

A cofferdam is constructed to provide the necessary site and allow for dewatering.

A pit of suitable size of about 3-4 meters deep is excavated at the site where the caisson is to be sunk and the cutting edge
is then placed at the bottom of the pit.

Wall reinforcements are suitably tied above the cutting edge and formwork for casting the concrete erected. The walls are
then concreted in lifts to a suitable height.

When the freshly laid concrete has gained sufficient strength, the sinking operation begins. The caisson sinks due to its
own weight when the soil from the space inside is removed.
As sinking proceeds additional sections of the caisson wall are successively cast.

When the caisson has been sunk to the required depth, its base is plugged by providing 15-45m thick layer of concrete seal.
After the concrete seal has set, the water inside the caisson is pumped out and the empty space filled with gravel or sand.

The rate of sinking the caisson is always slow due to resistance by the skin friction of the ground and its walls. Sometimes the
sinking friction is so great such that the sinking is resorted by:

• loading the caisson with additional weights such as blocks of steel which are removed afterwards.
• Water jets are sometimes added around the sides, decreasing skin friction.
 3. PNEUMATIC CAISSON
This odd type of caisson has an open bottom but closed top. This has to be forced down to the bottom of the water by means
of compressed air. Thus the name is derived.

A pneumatic caisson consists of a working chamber, a shaft, and an airlock. The caisson is made of inner and outer layer of
steel skins. Trusses and girders join them to form a boxlike structure.

The working chamber in pneumatic caissons is 3-4 meters tall only. It is made airtight with a special seal on top.

The caisson’s bottom edge has a steel edge that cuts into the riverbed. All this facilitates working within the chamber while
the caisson is being sunk. People can access the caisson via the airlock.

One factor that needs to be specially cared for in pneumatic caissons is the air pressure within the working chamber. A normal
human being can withstand an air pressure of 1.32 kilos per square centimeter for eight hours in moderate comfort.

For greater pressure, the work time inside a caisson has to be reduced. Even then, the maximum air pressure allowed inside
pneumatic caissons is 3.75 kg/sq.cm. Also, you need to take care of compression and decompression sickness.

This method of providing foundation is complicated ,expensive and very slow but most suitable in places where it is difficult
to use bulky equipment.

The entire operation of sinking the caisson is carried out under controlled conditions and the method is suitable for depths
ranging from 25-40m
 Pneumatic Caisson Sickness

When working under compressed air inside the working chamber, workers suffer a certain disease known as Caisson
sickness when they return to atmospheric pressure.
The main symptoms of the disease are:
• dizziness
• Headache
• Trouble speaking
• Pain in the body
• Double vision

Pneumatic Caisson Sickness precautions

• Working in shifts that do not exceed 12 hours

• Maintaining adequate ventilation ,lighting and working temperature of 25 degrees
• Employment of workers who do not have underlying health conditions and provision of a medical facility near
the work place.
• Workers should take enough meals before shift starts.
 METHODS OF SINKING CAISSONS
 Blasting- Explosives are used to remove obstructions during the sinking of a caisson. The cutting edge is cleared
and suitable charge of explosive is provided at a depth below the curb level.

 Air and water jets-To reduce skin friction, water jets are provided near the cutting edge. The air or water is
forced through the jets, facilitating the sinking.

 Sand island-An artificial island is constructed especially where the subsoil conditions are not in position to keep
the caisson stable. The caisson is sunk through the filling.

 Loading- A uniform load is applied on the top of the caisson to facilitate the sinking.
PROBLEMS SINKING OF CAISSONS
 Tilting of wells- The well sinks more on one side than the other caused by unequal dredging or non-uniform
bearing power of the soil.

 Sand Blowing- During dewatering of the well that passes through sandy strata ,the ground around the well starts
breaking up forming wide cracks. Sand falls into the caisson in huge amounts to a depth of about 3-15m of sand.
When this occurs, dewatering is immediately stopped and bundles of grass or similar filling material placed all
around the steining to control sand blowing

 Shifting of wells- This occurs when a shift at the bottom is greater than at the top. It is caused by a tilt that is not
corrected during sinking and the process is continued.
Advantages of using Caisson Foundation:

1. It is very economic.
2. It minimizes pile cap needs.
3. Working inside a caisson creates less vibration and noise.
4. Caisson technology is highly flexible and can adapt to most construction needs on site.
5. The caisson foundations have high axial and lateral loading capacity.

Disadvantages of using Caissons:

1. It is very sensitive to construction procedures.
2. They are not good for using in contaminated sites.
3. It needs qualified inspectors and constructing crew.