Abstract: A waterborne facility on a body of water includes a primary spoolable pipe and a pump. The end of the primary spoolable pipe may be guided from the waterborne facility to a location proximate to a selected site. The pump may be used to discharge a flowable material through the primary spoolable pipe. The waterborne facility may include a ready-mix concrete preparation system. However, the waterborne facility may deliver any flowable material to a selected site, which may be a land surface, underground, on a water surface, or underwater. Illustrative flowable materials include seawater, grout, cement, and sediment/mud.

Abstract: A method for controlling power transmission between a structure and its base during grouting—in the fastening parts of the structure in the corresponding bases on or in the seabed, and where the method is characterised by comprising:—connecting a bracket to at least one of the fastening parts of the structure;—arranging an elastic material on the bracket;—displacing the fastening part to an overlapping position with the base until the elastic material transmits a least a portion of the weight of the structure to the base; and—filling an opening between the fastening part and the base with a curable mass.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for installing docks. The system comprises a scaffold portion having at least a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to be removably secured to a first dock portion. The second end of the scaffold portion has a template thereon adapted for positioning pilings of a second dock portion to be installed. The scaffold includes a support structure upon which a dock builder stands during installation of the second dock portion. The method comprises installing a first dock portion, removably securing a first end of a scaffold portion of a dock installation system to the first dock portion, lowering a second end of the scaffold portion such that the first end of the scaffold portion is cantilevered at the first dock portion, using a template on a second end of the scaffold portion to arrange and position one or more components of a second dock portion to be installed, and installing the second dock portion.

Abstract: A bottom-surface connection installation for at least two undersea pipes resting on the sea bottom, the installation comprising: a first hybrid tower having a vertical riser anchored to a first base and connected to an undersea pipe resting on the sea bottom and having its top end connected to a first float below the surface, and a first connection pipe, preferably a flexible pipe, providing a connection between a floating support and the top end of said riser; and at least one second rigid pipe rising from the sea bottom where it rests or from a second undersea pipe resting on the sea bottom and to which its bottom end that is not anchored to said first base is connected, up to below the surface, where its top end is connected to a second float situated at substantially the same depth as said first float, and fastened to said first float to at least one respective said connection pipe that is flexible and serves to connect it to the same said floating support.

Abstract: A method of securing a load bearing structure to the bed of a sea, river or estuary. The method comprises placing the load bearing structure on the bed; forming a pile-receiving hole in the bed by means of drilling equipment which is connected to a surface vessel by flexible lines only so that the weight of the drilling equipment is supported by the bed, the drilling equipment being guided by the load bearing structure, and the load bearing structure resisting any non-vertical loads imparted to the drilling equipment; and withdrawing the drilling equipment and installing an attachment pile within the formed hole.

Abstract: A capping vessel and method for the low-turbidity delivery of a desired depth of capping materials to the sediment surface of a body of water along a predetermined course, the vessel comprising at least one floatable platform; a plurality of generally vertically submerged tremies comprising an array, the array of tremies depending from the at least one platform and extending to a predetermined height above the sediment surface, for the delivery of capping material to the sediment surface; at least one delivery hopper for the apportioning and feeding of capping material to the array of tremies; at least one rotary feeder interposed between the array of tremies and the delivery hopper for delivering the capping material to the array of tremies at a controlled rate; rotation control means for controlling the rate of rotation of the at least one rotary feeder in predetermined relationship to the forward velocity of the platform and the desired depth of capping material; and navigation control means for controllin

Abstract: A method for placing concrete underwater comprising pumping a flowable cementitious mixture comprising cement, water and one of either BNS or a cellulosic polymer to the underwater point of discharge of the cementitious mixture from a delivery tube and adding into the flowable cementitious mixture at the point of discharge, the other of the BNS or a cellulosic polymer resulting in a cementitious mixture having zero flow characteristics.

Abstract: System including method and apparatus for treating contaminated underwater sediment by lowering a cylindrical casing to an underbed, lowering a power driven Kelly bar with plural blade injecting and mixing tool fed with treatment material such as solidifying cement and flyash, providing a top circular cover for confining the sediment to be treated within the casing, injecting and mixing the treatment material through the Kelly bar and sequentially moving the casing with Kelly bar and top cover to adjacent treatment locations having full coverage provided with minimum overlap.

Abstract: An improved method for underwater reclamation is disclosed. Dredged mud sent under pressure by an earth and sand conveying device is treated with solidifying material, and before it is solidified, it is directly fed to an underwater reclaiming apparatus. The treated mud is fed through a discharge port of the underwater reclaiming apparatus, while the discharge port is always maintained embedded at a constant depth in a previously deposited underwater reclamation mud layer at the bottom of the water. An apparatus for underwater reclamation that is suitable for practicing the improved method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Sand and gravel material conveyed from a floating dredger is fed to a treatment installation where silt is separated. The silt arising in the process may be fed over a floating pipe line and swingable pipe so arranged as to feed silt to an under-water diffuser which deposits the material for sealing-off on the lake bottom or its side. The diffuser may be arranged by a floating station.

Abstract: System including method and apparatus for treating contaminated underwater sediment by lowering a hollow casing to an underbed, lowering a power driven Kelly bar with injecting and mixing blade fed with treatment material such as solidifying cement and flyash, providing a top cover for confining the sediment to be treated within the casing, injecting and mixing the treatment material through the Kelly bar, and sequentially moving the casing with Kelly bar to adjacent treatment locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a hollow column of concrete on a floating offshore platform by applying successive layers of concrete and reinforcing to a single surface slipform which outlines the inner or outer contour of the column. The column is intermittently or continuously lowered by means of gravity under the control of one or more cables. The column may be round, oval, rectangular or of any cross section, or any combination thereof, and may be open or closed at either end or at intermediate levels. The column may be segmented into sections and have relatively thin walls as in an OTEC cold water pipe, an outfall sewer, or an underwater tunnel; and a method is described for safely deploying such columns at great depth on to an uneven seabed. The column may be monolithic with walls thick enough to support a structure above the surface or to maintain the hollow interior at amospheric pressure and provide access to an undersea habitat or to gas and oil well equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a floating apparatus (1, 2, 18) for the construction of columnlike elements (16, 17), forming part of a pier, a jetty or the like marine structure, in which a first part (16) is manufactured on a support (5) attached to the floating apparatus. Whilst said apparatus rests on the waterbottom (15), which first part (16) is lowered on the waterbotton (15) after lifting the floating apparatus to free it from the waterbottom and after displacement to a place with deeper water. There the next part (17) is made upon the still deeper water, lowered again until they rest on the bottom, after which the next part is made and so on until the final height and destination are reached. The floating apparatus is completely equiped (10, 11, 14) for performing the work and has a construction such, that it can be disengaged from the finished structure.

Abstract: A method for the forming and the deposition in a selected place of a bulk consisting substantially of loose or lightly cohesive material, such as sand or other ground material, for example for use as the core or base of a dam, quay, a bank reinforcement, a jetty or a breakwater, for filing holes or trenches in the bed of a waterway, or for the packaging and storage of contaminated material. The invention has for its purpose to carry out a method of the type in such manner that it can be performed very inexpensively and quickly, while nonetheless ensuring an excellent durability of the formed bulk, both in the short and the long term.

Abstract: Slipforming means intended for slipforming inclined, hollow columns of reinforced concrete, comprising a slipform platform (14) including the form work (28, 29), which is supported by and may be lifted/lowered by means of a climbing rod system (12) which is fixed to the already cast, cured portions of the column (11). The form work is by means of a number of yokes (26,27) suspended from the slipform platform and comprises inner and outer formsheets (28,29) extending in circumferential direction. The yokes are adjustable in radial direction with respect to the slipform platform while the form sheets are adjustable in tangential or circumferential direction with respect to each other. One of the form work walls is radially adjustable with respect to the other. The slipforming means is intended for slipforming hollow, inclined columns having increasing and/or decreasing diameter.

Abstract: An offshore platform structure (1) comprising a deck superstructure (4) which is supported at least by three inclined lower supporting columns (5) which are arranged apart and extend convergingly upwards towards an intermediate structure (6), and one or more upper columns (7), extending upward from the intermediate structure, supporting the deck superstructure. At least the lower supporting columns (5) have varying diameter, the columns having their largest diameter in the area of the towing water line during the towing-out of the platform structure from the construction site. Slipforming means intended for slipforming inclined, hollow columns of reinforced concrete, comprising a slipform platform (14) including the form work (28,29), which is supported by and may be lifted/lowered by means of a climbing rod system (12) which is fixed to the already cast, cured portions of the column (11).

Abstract: A continuous linear element is used in the form of a fine fibrous trap, delivered in a continuous manner by an ejector (11) placed in a gaseous atmosphere established in an open-bottomed bell (8) immersed in the liquid medium with its open bottom close to the deposition site of the construction material. A slurry of solid particles is injected into the fibrous trap when it is still in the gaseous atmosphere of the bell and the trap charged with said particles is then deposited on the construction site (1). The ejector (11) can be part of a device (12) for breaking up textile cable (17) and is connected with a floating platform (3).

Abstract: A method of construction is provided in which a casing or assemblage of casings which can be handled as a unit is partly immersed in water to a controlled variable depth and used to mould a self-hardenable material such as freshly mixed concrete to form a required shape while isolating it from the surrounding water. Throughout ths stage of construction hydrostatic pressure exerted by the water on the casing or casing assemblage acts in opposition to pressure exerted by the self-hardenable material or by a temporary substitute therefor, (e.g. a bontonite slurry) together with any other forces or pressures that may act. This enables casings to be used which otherwise and for construction in a dry environment would require substantial or extensive support from falsework in order to prevent fracture or undesirable deformation thereof.

Abstract: A method of constructing an underwater fill in a manner which enables the formation of a dense fill pile having steep side slopes and having an improved capability to resist erosion. The method comprises withdrawing water from fill deposited at an underwater construction site as fresh fill is added to the underwater fill pile.Apparatus for performing the method comprises a perforated conduit, pumping means for pumping water and a closed conduit for water communication between the perforated conduit and the pumping means. Operation of the pumping means withdraws water from underwater fill surrounding the perforated conduit for passage through the conduits and discharge from the pumping means.

Abstract: A drilling rig comprises a platform (10) supported above a sea surface (14) by legs which extend to the sea bottom (16). A drill guide (30) of rigid open framework construction extends down from the platform to the sea bottom. The drill guide is only minimally affected by turbulent sea conditions because of its open framework construction. A hardenable substance such as concrete (54) is poured into a flexible bag (50) at the lower end of the drill guide to form a solid structure conforming to the uneven sea bottom and having a substantially flat upper surface. Drilling takes place through the hardenable substance and into the underlying sea bottom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of constructing a free standing structure in a body of water, comprising the steps of attaching an impervious membrane to a floating formwork, filling the membrane with water thereby expanding it, partially filling the expanded membrane with non-hardenable particulate material which settles to form a body within the expanded membrane resting on the bed of the body of water, removing water from the particulate body so that the body of water exerting a confining pressure on the particulate body renders it coherent, and filling a remaining upper portion of the expanded membrane with a material which hardens.

Abstract: A grout distribution system for grouting the interior of a piling driven through a jacket leg of a marine platform or grouting the interior of a similar cylindrical structure.

Abstract: A means for placing freshly mixed concrete on the ocean floor at great des. A pipeline is grossly positioned by a ship whereas the position of the submerged end is controlled by guide wires, water jets, props, etc. The discharge device at the end of the pipeline includes a slip joint, a tank flooded with seawater to maintain the pipe end submerged a certain distance in the concrete, and an expansion chamber where the velocity of the concrete being discharged is reduced. Deflector means at the pipe end directs the concrete laterally and negates the vertical lift component of the discharging concrete.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for placing concrete under water in an easy and effectual manner. The method comprises the steps of: immersing a tremie tube having a special valve device, into water; transferring concrete through the tremie tube; closing the valve device while the outlet of the tremie tube is kept within the deposited concrete; and lifting the tremie tube to move it to another point. The above valve device is provided with a cylindrical elastic valve member fitted in a cylindrical member forming a space to receive a fluid under pressure and, when the fluid space is supplied with a pressurized fluid, the elastic valve member is folded and expanded in inward radial directions to close up the concrete passage of the tremie tube. Another aspect of the invention is to propose the measurement of the state of deposited concrete by means of a concrete surface detecting device.