Title:
Low-Cost Ocean Platform Construction
Author(s):
Martin W. Iorns
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
21
Issue:
12
Appears on pages(s):
39-42
Keywords:
costs; floating structures; formwork; marine concrete; shotcrete
DOI:
Date:
12/1/1999
Abstract:
Cost of large concrete marine platforms is reduced by building in floating formwork on site. Shotcrete eliminates double formwork and the need to tie the reinforcing steel. Common (unskilled) labor uses portable equipment to assemble a wood box on the water and apply a layer of ferrocement on its interior to create a corrosion-resistant, watertight sheath within which to build the platform. Reinforcing steel is placed in jigs and concrete is pumped into precast hull, bulkheads, and deck elements which are then bonded with shotcrete to create a monolithic platform of any size. Potential applications are floating airports, military bases and a Gibralter crossing.