Abstract: Structures with inter-connecting members such as shores, struts, braces and the like which are subject to compression and/or tension stresses can be erected even when the foundation strata do not exactly meet anticipated levels, or when differential settlements occur at base points after loads are applied. At least one of the structural members is in the form of a first elongate section having a hollow mating end, and a second elongate section including a hollow bell-shaped end. The mating end of the first section is slidably received in the bell-shaped end of the second section, and the first and second sections are allowed to slide axially of one another at least during erection of the structure. At a desired time after erection, relative sliding movement between the first and second sections is prevented, thus fixing the length of the structural member.

Abstract: A method of installing an offshore construction, includes fabricating platform support columns from a plurality of interconnected column sections. The method comprises placing a first column section at the surface of a body of water, at least partly submerging the first column section by a certain amount, placing a second column section on top of the first column section whereby the top of the first column section is joined to the bottom of the second section near the waters' surface, the second column section thereafter being at least partly submerged as was the first column section. Additional column sections are placed on top of and joined to successive partly submerged column sections near the waters' surface, until a finished column of desired height is formed by the joined column sections. A base may be initially connected to the bottom of the first column section. The finished column may then be anchored to the seabed to maintain the finished column in a fixed vertical position.