LIVING ON WATER

CHAPTER: 1

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Topic: LIVING ON WATER
Hypothesis:
FLOATING STRUCTURES TECHNIQUE SERVES BETTER THAN
CONVENTIONAL METHOD OF OCEAN RECLAMATION (SEA WATER).
Introduction:
Floating structures are the structure that float on water surface and have no
permanent foundation into sea bed or river. This they can be easily towed from one
place to another.
The designers and city planners are looking up to such structures as a plausible
solution to the current day problems like increasing pressure on land due to population
growth, dilapidation of open spaces, overcrowding in coastal cities and the rising sea
level.
Other solution to the increase in land is reclamation ( an island is constructed
technically artificial peninsulas of sand dredged from the bottom of the sea.) Which has
its set of disadvantages which can be overcome by the floating structures. Also, these
can be built in the middle of the water without disturbing the sea-surface and the aquatic
life.
In the following dissertation report, an attempt has made to study construction
techniques of constructing on sea. And analyzing floating structures in terms of need,
feasibility and various factors related to these structures.

Objectives:

To study water surface as constructible surface.

To study types of floating structures and ocean reclamation technique
To study the materials available.
To understand the sustainability of floating structures

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Scope and limitations:

Future habitat
I shall limit my study and use of these structures to densely populated areas with
long coastline/ long coastal areas with land crisis.
Its not possible for me to visit case study personally since it is pretty much out of
my reach. Thus the whole case study of my dissertation is done through documented
work contributed by others and through net.
To create an awareness and interest in floating structure, and to exploit their
special characteristics in conditions that are favorable for their applications.

Criteria of selection
The 70% of the earth is covered with the water. Urbanization and climate
change, all the big cities have space limitations, led to the choice for this dissertation.
We can create space with water, space that others have never even seen,"
Water as a constructible surface. Building on water to combat urban
congestion and climate change proposes a new way of building: on water instead of on
land. The majorities of world cities are situated on the water and have too little space
where its most needed: in the city centre. Building on water allows inner-city areas to
develop and expand.

Methodology to be adopted
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Introduction to the topic

Identifying types of construction techniques
Study the feasibility and sustainability of floating structures
Study the feasibility and sustainability of reclaimed structures
Case studies: floating and ocean reclamation
Analysis of floating structures and ocean reclamation structures

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CHAPTER: 2

CHAPTER 2: IDENTIFYING TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION

TECHNIQUES
2.1. Introduction:
Why would anyone want to colonize the ocean surface? There are a number of
reasons adventure, religious freedom, tax avoidance, trying out new forms of
government, etc. Man is fast running out of living space. Only a quarter of our plant is
dry land; the rest is ocean. And our growing numbers are filling that quarter to bursting
point. We have to find a new place to live if we are to survive. There are three choices:
on other planet, underground, and on sea.
The reasons for an ocean based city are many, and the benefits of one are
considerable. It shall be a completely man-made structure, situated in, the deep ocean.
A free floating structure state that can expand at will, and perhaps even more about, if
desired. It will be starting off small, as a city, and growing as needs presents them, and
as population and industry grow.
The designers and city planners are looking up to such structures as a plausible
solution to the current day problems like increasing pressure on land due to population
growth, dilapidation of open spaces, overcrowding in coastal cities and the rising sea
level.
Other solution to the increase in land is reclamation ( an island is constructed
technically artificial peninsulas of sand dredged from the bottom of the sea.) Which has
its set of disadvantages which can be overcome by the floating structures. Also, these
can be built in the middle of the water without disturbing the sea-surface and the aquatic
life.
In the following dissertation report, an attempt has made to study construction
techniques of constructing on sea. And analyzing floating structures in terms of need,
feasibility and various factors related to these structures.

2.2. Types of floating structure technique

2.2.1. The semisubmersible-type
2.2.2. Tension leg plateform
2.2.3. The pontoon-type.

2.3. Types of ocean reclamation technique

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Chapter 3: TECHNOLOGY
3.1. FLOATING STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE
Floating structure means a barge-like structure, with or without accommodations,
that is not used as a means of transportation on water but which provides services associated
with a structure such as a residence, place of business, office, hotel, motel, restaurant etc.

3.1.1. Basic principle of floating

Buoyancy must equal weight plus any external vertical forces

Fig. 3.1 Buoyancy = weight + vertical loads

loads

Fig. 3.2 Buoyancy < weight + vertical

3.1.2. Archimedes principles

Archimedes' principle indicates that the upward buoyant force that is exerted on a
body immersed in a fluid, whether fully or partially submerged, is equal to the weight of
the fluid that the body displaces.

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3.1.2. Types of floating structure technique

There are basically two types of very large floating structures (VLFSS),
namely:
I.
II.
III.

The semisubmersible-type
Tension leg plateform
The pontoon-type

I. SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE TYPE
Semi submersible type floating structures are raised above the sea level using
column tubes or ballast structural elements to minimize the effects of waves while
maintaining a constant buoyancy force. Thus they can reduce the wave induced
motions and are therefore suitably deployed in high seas with large waves.
Water depth: 80 3,000 m
Process capacity is up to 180,000 bpd
Examples: Floating oil drilling platforms used for drilling for and production of oil
and gas production, drilling & work over.
Current presence: North Sea, Brazil, Asia, gulf of Mexico (gom)

Fig. 3.3 Floating oil drilling Platforms

Fig. 3.4Basic structure of semi submersible

type

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Fig. 3.5 Semi-submersible windmill

Fig. 3.6 Mooring system for floating oil drilling

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II. TENSION LEG PLATEFORM

A type of floating production system, tension leg platforms (TLPs) are buoyant
production facilities vertically moored to the seafloor by tendons.
Tension Leg Plateform Design
While a buoyant hull supports the platform's topsides, an intricate mooring system
keeps the TLP in place. The buoyancy of the facility's hull offsets the weight of the
platform, requiring clusters of tight tendons, or tension legs, to secure the structure to
the foundation on the seabed. The foundation is then kept stationary by piles driven into
the seabed.
The tension leg mooring system allows for horizontal movement with wave
disturbances, but does not permit vertical, or bobbing, movement, which makes TLPs a
popular choice for stability, such as in the hurricane-prone Gulf of Mexico.
The basic design of a TLP includes four air-filled columns forming a square.

Fig. 3.7Basic structure of tension leg

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These columns are supported and connected by pontoons, similar to the design of a
semisubmersible production platform. The platform deck is located atop the hull of the
TLP. The topside of a TLP is the same as a typical production platform, consisting of a
deck that houses the drilling and production equipment, as well as the power module
and the living quarters. Dry tree wells are common on TLPs because of the lessened
vertical movement on the platforms.
Suited for water depths greater than 300 metres (about 1000 ft) and less than 1500
metres (about 4900 ft)

Tension Leg Plateform Types

Currently, there are three different types of TLPs:
Full-size TLPs
Mini TLPs
Wellhead TLPs
The third-most used type of floating production facility in the world, TLPs are ideal for
a broad range of water depths.

Fig. 3.8 Basic structure of tension leg

plateform

Fig. 3.9 Basic The Kizomba(Angola)

deepwater project

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Fig. 3.10 Basic structure of tension leg plateform and wind turbine

III. PONTOON-TYPE
Pontoon-type floating structures lie on the sea level like a giant plate floating on
water. Pontoon-type floating structures are suitable for use in only calm waters, often
inside a cove or a lagoon and near the shore line. Large pontoon-type floating
structures have been termed mega-floats by Japanese engineers. As a general rule of
thumb, mega-floats are floating structures with at least one of its length dimensions
greater than 60 m.

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Fig. 3.11 Pontoon-type floating structures

Fig. 3.12 Ujina floating concrete pier for ferries and boats in Hiroshima, Japan

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Fig.3.13 Mega floating platform, Marina bay, Singapore

Fig.3.14 Floating pavalion, Rotterdam

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3.1.4. A Very Large Floating Structure (VLFS) system consists of:

(a) Large floating structure,
(b) Mooring facility to keep the floating structure in place
(c) An access bridge, gangway or a floating road to get to the floating structure from
shore, and
(d) A breakwater (usually needed if the significant wave (height Is greater than 4 m) for
reducing wave forces impacting the Floating structure.

Fig. 3.15 Floating structures system

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3.1.5. MOORING SYSTEM

The mooring system must be well designed as it ensures that the very large
floating structure is kept in position so that the facilities installed on the floating structure
can be reliably operated and to prevent the structure from drifting away under critical
sea conditions and storms. A freely drifting very large floating structure may lead to not
only damage to the surrounding facilities but also the loss of human life if it collides with
ships.

Fig.3.16 Various types of mooring systems

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3.1.6. CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGY

STEP1:
Fabrication at shipyard
Relatively small unit with dimensions of approximately 300m long and 60m wide
is fabricated in dry docks. Easier to fabricate at shipyard than to do it at installation site.
Figure3.17 shows fabrication.

Fig.3.17 Fabrication at shipyard

Fig.3.18 Towing to installation site

STEP2:
Towing to installation site
Each unit necessary to install is transported to site one by one by tugboats with
strong engine. As fabricated unit has a similar structure to ship, it is buoyant and able to
be transported on sea. Figure3.18
STEP3:
Installation of mooring device
The work at the site begins with the installation of mooring device.
Figure 3.19 shows the installation of mooring device.

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Fig.3.19 Installation of mooring device

Fig.3.20 Joining of units

STEP4:
Mooring of unit and joining of units
The first unit transported to the site is moored to the mooring device. The next unit
transported successively is joined to the first one. Figure 3.20 shows joining of units .

3.1.7. OPTIONS FLOATING BODIES

The multiple options for floating bodies are listed below:
1. Concrete caisson
2. Concrete tray
3. Steel floating bodies
4. Concrete-EPS bodies
5. Composite floating bodies
6. Natural materials
1. CONCRETE CAISSON
The name caisson is French and has s to be translated as large chest, which refers to
the general shape of caissons. In civil engineering a caisson could be designated as a
retaining watertight case or box. Floating caissons are used already for a long time in
civil engineering, for constructing bridges, piers, jetties and last decades also for
tunnels. The caissons are transported while they are afloat and when they arrive at the
right location they are immersed.
Used as foundations for floating structures.

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Figure 17: Standard concrete caisson

Figure 18: Pneumatic concrete caisson

Standard Caisson
The standard concrete caisson is a closed concrete box with concrete walls, bottom and
top. Larger caissons have also got concrete inner walls. This has two reasons:
- decreasing the spans
- partitioning for safety in case of leakage
Pneumatic Caisson
The difference between the standard caisson and the pneumatic caisson, is that the
pneumatic concrete has no bottom. Now the buoyancy must come from the enclosed air
between water and concrete top.
2. CONCRETE TRAY / OPEN CAISSON
A rectangular concrete tray is in fact the same as the standard caisson, but then without
walls and top, see Figure.

Figure 19: Rectangular tray / open caisson

In case of a large floating body, there can be built in the tray. With smaller structures
such as floating homes, there can be built on top of the walls. This is the system which
is used for all standard woonarken (barges).
3. STEEL FLOATING BODIES
Steel is the most used material in offshore industry and ships. Floating bodies made of
steel can have any shape. Rectangular steel pontoons are often used for temporary
use, such as for maintenance of bridges.With steel also other shapes are possible. In
Figure a floating house from Herzberger is depicted.
This house is based on a hexagon of six large steel tubes welded to each other.

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Figure 25: Floating house from Herzberger, Middelburg

Steel floating bodies can have small wall thicknesses, which results in a small self
weight, which gives high buoyancy. This also results in small weight stability, but this
can be simply counteracted by adding ballast weight, and as said weight stability is of
less importance for large structures.The disadvantage from steel is that it is susceptible
for corrosion, so it needs a lot of maintenance. This was also the case for the floating
pavilion.
Aluminium is another possibility, which is less susceptible of corrosion and it is even
lighter, but also more expensive. Subsidence can be prevented with filling the
steel/aluminium bodies with EPS.
4. EPS AND CONCRETE
A new technology of constructing on water by making use of the very light polystyrene
foam (EPS, expended poly styrene). This system is based on a core of EPS and a
concrete shell. The system thanks its buoyancy on the EPS, with a density of only
20kg/m3, which is 50 timer lighter than water. The concrete has a purpose for strength,
stiffness and protection of the EPS.
When the construction is finished using this method, it results in a reversed concrete
tray which is in fact a pneumatic caisson (see Figure), but now the space is filled with
EPS instead of air. Filling this space with EPS results in a lot more buoyancy.

Figure : Reversed tray filled with EPS

With this system a water depth of 1.5m can be enough.An example of a recent design
for this system is given in Figure .
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Figure : Floating body by Aquastrenda

5. COMPOSITES
Composites can also be a very interesting material for floating bodies. The new
composite materials are very strong and light, and can be shaped in any form. So
floating bodies constructed out of composites can be very light. Composites are
currently also used for constructing bridges and therefore they have already proven
themselves as construction material. However they have not yet been used as
foundation for large floating structures yet. The big disadvantage of composites is that
they are still very expensive at the moment.
6. AIR CUSHIONS
For floating there can be made use of air cushions. Generally these air cushions will be
made of plastics. The great advantage of air cushions is their flexible buoyancy, but at
the same time this is also a disadvantage. The lack of having a own shape of their own
will make them less reliable, and the risk of leakage is also higher with cushions
systems and the consequences will be more critical.
7. NATURAL MATERIALS
Just as in the old days natural products as wood and reeds can be used. But these
materials have a short durability in water.
SITUATION

CHOICE

Small structure (<10m)

Concrete

Internal space needed

Concrete

Low draught

Concrete+EPS

Unsinkable

Concrete+EPS

3.2. LAND RECLAMATION

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3.2.1. INTRODUCTION
Land reclamation simply refers to the process of creating new land from the oceans,
riverbeds or the lakes. The land that has been reclaimed is known as the landfill or the
reclamation ground. The reclaimed land is made more capable of intensive use by
changing its whole character.

Fig. 3.21 Australias third runway built on reclaimed land in the 1990, Sydney

Fig. 3.22 Palm Island

3.2.2. CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

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An island is constructed technically artificial peninsulas of sand dredged from the

bottom of the sea.
The sand is sprayed by the dredging ships, which are guided by gps, onto the
required area in a process known as rain bowing. Processes involved in sand
placement:
1) Sand winning
2) Sand transport
3) Formation of sand water jet
4) Formation of a crater
5) Flowing of sand water mixture on slope above water
6) Flowing of sand water mixture on submerged slope
7) Loss of sand under water
8) Sedimentation and formation of slope

DREDGING
Dredging is the maritime transportation of natural materials from one part of
the water environment to another by specialised dredging vessels. In a usual
dredging cycle, self-propelled ,trailing suction ,hopper dredgers, barges and other
ships spend the majority of their time sailing back and forth between excavation
sites and placement sites, transporting materials between the port and the
borrow site; sailing between borrow sites; and sailing from sites where material
has been extracted to unloading or placement sites.
Common dredging methods:
I.
II.

I.

Suction dredging
Cutter suction dredging

SUCTION DREDGING:

Sand will be dredged by putting the suction tube deep (> 10 m) into the sand
layer. Under the influence of gravity forces the sand departs from the slope and flows
downward in the direction of the suction mouth.

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Fig. 3.23 Suction dredging

CUTTER SUCTION DREDGING:

With cutter suction dredging the suction tube is provided with a rotating
cutter head. The swing movement is initiated by the means of a forward-side-winch wire
directly behind the cutter head. A spud pole positioned on the ships aft functions as
centre of the swing movement.

Fig. 3.24 Cutter suction dredging

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The material dredged from sea floor is placed either by:

I.
II.
III.

The dredger itself

By pumps on deck or
By pipelines or barges.

Fig.3.25 The dredger itself

Fig.3.26 By

pumps on deck
Fig.3.27
By pipelines or barges

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Fig.3.28 Process of ocean land reclamation

III.2.3. PROCESS OF FOUNDATION

1. Temporary tube piles driven into sea

bed. Temporary sheet piles and tie
rods driven into sea bed to support
boundary rocks.

2. Permanent boundary rock is

constructed like bunds & it
deposited either side of sheet piles.

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3. Permanent concrete units are placed 4. Island interior excavated and

around island to protect it from
and temporary sheet piles or Coffer dam
from the waves.2m diameter
inserted. 2m thick concrete plug slab
43m deep piles Driven through
laid at base of island. reinforced
island into the below of the sea
concrete retaining wall built.
bed to stabilize structure (fig. 3)
basement floors created.

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CHAPTER 4: CASE STUDIES

1.
2.
3.
4.

The floating pavilion, Rotterdam

The float , Singapore
The palm island, Dubai
Kansai airport, Japan , Tokyo

1. THE FLOATING EXHIBITION PAVILION, ROTTERDAM

2.

Fig.4.1 The floating pavilion, Rotterdam

Floating expertise and exhibition centre consists of three semi-transparent domes of
respectively 18. 5, 20 and 24 meter in diameter. In total, they cover a surface of about
1000 square meters.

Fig.4.2 The floating pavilion

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The building has been built in one of the city harbors of Rotterdam and is now
located in the rijnhaven.
Green facts
- Climate change resilient
- Heating and air conditioning systems rely on solar energy and surface water
- Water recycling system

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Fig.4.3 Impression floating pavilion with on the background the 'Kop van Zuid'

Fig.4.4 Plan of floating pavilion,

The pavilion consists of three connected spheres, the largest of which has a
radius of 12 meters.

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Fig.4.5 Shows the floor plan of floating pavilion.

In the left sphere, the auditorium dome, the chairs of the auditorium are depicted. This
dome accommodates 150 people. This auditorium needs to have an indoor climate,
while the 'exhibition' part of the pavilion can have a semi-outdoor environment.
The floating body is designed with a rectangular beam grid with a c.t.c.distance of 3
meters and a waffle-slab floor. The beam grid will be placed as shown in below in figure.
This way the beams are orthogonal to the connection surfaces.

Fig.4.6 Grid pattern for structure

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Lightweight and unsinkable qualities of the the floating body has been constructed using
expanded polystyrene sheets (esp.). Five layers of eps are placed on top of each other,
the thinnest layer measuring 20 centimeters in thickness, and the thickest 75
Centimeters.

Fig.4.7 Section
The thickest layer contains a grid of concrete beams, which is fastened to the prefab
concrete slabs.
The thickness of the island is 2.25 meters. The top of the floor is about 80 centimeters
above the water level.

3. THE FLOAT , AT MARINA BAY, SINGAPORE

The float at marina bay, also known as the marina bay floating platform

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Fig.4.8 The float at Marina Bay

It is the world's largest floating stage.
Located: On the waters of the marina reservoir, in Marina
Bay, Singapore.
Construction started: 2006
Construction completed: 2007
Made entirely of steel,
The floating platform on marina bay measures 120 meters long and 83 meters
wide, which is 5% larger than the soccer field at the national stadium.
The platform can bear up to 1,070 tones, equivalent to the total weight of 9,000 people,
200 tones of stage props and three 30-tonne military vehicles.
The gallery at the stadium has a seating capacity of 30,000 people.

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Fig.4.9 View the float at Marina Bay

Construction:
The platform is made of smaller platforms of pontoons, each comprising
hundreds of parts. 200 pontoons were envisioned, but a unique system of connectors
allowed this number to be reduced to 15, which interlock like a jigsaw puzzle. These
took one month to assemble. The connectors were designed to be light but robust.

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Fig.4.10 View the float at Marina Bay

Six pylons fixed into the seabed act as the structure's foundation. Heavyduty rubber rollers were used to gently guide the stage vertically to keep it from being
rocked by tides and currents. Three link ways, which connect the floating platform to the
land, have special integrated joints to keep them steady.

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4. THE PALM ISLAND, DUBAI

Fig.4.11 The palm island

The palm island, one of the largest man-made islands in the world is located in Dubai,
u.a.e. its concept and design is marvelous and has major three parts- the trunk, the
fronts and the crescent.
The palm jumeirah measures 5km, has created 560ha of land and has added 78.6km
to the country's 72km coastline.

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Fig.4.11 The basic form of palm island

Fig.4.12 View of palm island at night

CONSTRUCTION OF PALM ISLAND

Begin: 2001
Completed: 2003
1. These islands are constructed technically artificial peninsulas of sand dredged
from the bottom of the sea.
2. The sand is sprayed by the dredging ships, which are guided by gps, onto the
required area in a process known as rain bowing.

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3. Place the material in the form of lumps, directly at the reclamation site.
4. Sand siphoned up from the ocean floor, being deposited in one of the hoppers of
the dredge island
5. Construction of sea wall
A crescent-shaped breakwater from blasted mountain rock. The crescent
of palm jumeirah stands a little more than 13 feet above low tide sea level and sits in 34
feet of water at its deepest point.

Fig.4.13 The process of sand transportation of palm island

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There are approximately 10,000,000 cubic meters of rocks in the slope protection
works. Sand, covered by an erosion-preventing water-permeable geo-textile, makes up
the breakwater's lowest layer. One-ton rocks cover the sand, and two layers of large
rocks weighing up to six tons each cap the structure.
A "toe" placed by a floating crane sits inside the crescent. The breakwater also
has two 328-foot openings on each side to eliminate stagnation in the 16 narrow, deep
Channels. These gaps allow water to completely circulate every 13 days.
Vibrocompaction increases the density of loose sand by saturating it with jets of
water and vibrating it with probes.
Project required 9 barges, 15 tugboats, 7 dredgers, 30 heavy land-based
machines, and 10 floating cranes.
Materials: Palm jumeirah is made from 3,257,212,970.389 cubic feet of ocean sand.

POST-CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS
SETTLEMENT
The possibility of settlement, and the use of sand as a construction base. If not
prepared properly, sand has the potential to settle several centimeters or more, which
could lead to future issues with the infrastructure that was built on top of it. Despite the
extensive vibrocompaction process completed prior to the construction of buildings and
infrastructure on the island, it has been reported that the island is slowly sinking.
The island is expected to settle 25mm over the course of 100 years, and should not
have any significant impact on the development.
SURROUNDING GEOGRAPHY
Prior to the construction of the palm jumeirah, coastal water flow and wave
conditions followed its natural movement, along the original coastline along Dubai.
Since construction of the island, water flow properties have changed, and the water is
required to travel from the shoreline, around the outside of the island, and back to the
shoreline.

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Fig.4.14 a) predicted shoreline evolution after 20 years without the palm jumeirah
b) predicted shoreline evolution after 20 years with the palm jumeirah
ECOSYSTEM
Among the biggest concerns with the construction of the palm jumeirah is the
impact on organic life in the area. The process of dredging and land reclamation has
deposited and scattered silt into the normally crystal clear waters, burying coral reefs,
oyster beds and sea grass in as much as two inches of sediment.
They are creating artificial reefs by sinking objects onto the sea floor. The objects
include, among
Other things, two f-86 jets, a passenger airplane and a london bus.

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Fig.4.15 Marine life attracted to an artificial reef near the palm jumeirah

5. KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TERMINAL

BAY OF OSAKA, JAPAN
To prevent noise pollution and allow for 24-hour a day operation officials chose to
build an island in Osaka bay on which to construct the passenger terminal and runways.
1987-1991: island construction

1991-1994: airport construction

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Fig.4.16 KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TERMINAL BAY OF OSAKA

Largest man-made island 22,000,000 cubic meters of reclaimed land, 4 km x 1km in
size.
Longest building in the world 1.7 kilometers

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Fig.4.17 Plan of Kansai airport

Construction started in 1987. The sea wall was finished in 1989 (made of rock and
48,000 tetrahedral concrete blocks).

Fig.4.17 different layers of bed below airport

Three mountains were excavated for 21,000,000 m 3 (27,000,000 cu yd) of landfill.
10,000 workers and 10 million work hours over three years, using eighty ships, were
needed to complete the 30-metre (98 ft) layer of earth over the sea floor and inside the

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CHAPTER: 4

sea wall. In 1990, a three kilometer bridge was completed to connect the island to the
mainland at rink town, at a cost of $1 billion.

Fig.4.18 Construction of island

Completion of the artificial island increased the area of Osaka prefecture just enough to
move it past kagawa prefecture in size (leaving kagawa as the smallest by area in
Japan).
Stabilized alluvial clay with one million sand piles and a meter thick layer of sand.

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CHAPTER: 4

Since 1987 the island has subsided approximately 10 meters. Since 2002 the
rate of submergence has decreased.
The island had been predicted to sink 5.7 m (19 ft) by the most optimistic
estimate as the weight of the material used for construction compressed the seabed
silts. However, the island had sunk 8.2 m (27 ft) - much more than predicted.
Hit by the Kobe earthquake of 1995 and the terminal sustained no damage.

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CHAPTER: 5

CHAPTER 5: ANALYSIS
5.1. FLOATING STRUCTURES
5.1.1. Advantages
1. Cost effective when the water depth is large.
2. Easy and fast to construct (components may be made at different shipyards and
brought to the site for assembling).
3. Mobile: transportation and relocation possible.
4. Increase the land area
5. Environment friendly as they do not damage marine life or disrupt tidal/ ocean
currents.
6. They are not affected by global warming (rise in sea level).
7. Modular (could be removed or expanded).
8. Virtually no influence of earthquake. Huge structure does not touch the sea bed
directly since it is fixed to seabed by piling, hence it can resist the earthquake effect
9. Tidal effect (Since it is huge, fluttering of waves does not have any impact.
Since it is made of steel its flexible like spring ;as skyscrapers absorbs seismic
energy by its flexibility, mega float absorbs the energy of waves by it flexibility).
10. They do not suffer from differential settlement (due to reclaimed soil, consolidation).
11. No working ground is required for installation.

5.1.2. Disadvantages
1. Corrosion of material
( Solution use of chemically treated materials or non corrosive material ).
2. Low security (bombing; terrorist attacks).
Mat like very large floating structures are only suitable for use in clam waters
associated with naturally sheltered coastal areas.

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LIVING ON WATER
CHAPTER: 5

(Solution: use breakwaters, antimotion devices, anchor/ mooring systems).

3. Algae formation
(solution needs proper/ regular maintenance).

5.1.3. APPLICATION OF FLOATING STRUCTURES

Very large floating structures have been used for a variety of purposes. Below,are
the highlighted applications from early times to present times as well as their
applications in the near future.
Floating Bridges
Early applications of very large
floating structures take the form of
floating boat bridges over rivers that
date back to antiquity (Brown 1993).
Floating Entertainment Facilities
As the waterfront and the sea appeal to the general public, VLFSs have been
Nordhordland Floating
Floating Restaurant ,
constructed to house entertainment
Bridge Norway
Japan
facilities with a scenic 360 degrees view of the surrounding water body.
Floating Storage Facilities
Used for storing fuel. Constructed like
flat tankers (box-shaped) parked side
by side, they form an ideal oil storage
facility, keeping the explosive,
inflammable fluid from populated areas
on land.

Kamigoto Floating Oil

Storage base,

Emergency Rescue
base, Japan

Floating Emergency Bases

As floating structures are inherently base isolated from earthquakes, they are ideal for
applications as floating emergency rescue bases in earthquake prone countries.
Floating Airports and Mobile
Offshore Base
Floating Cities
Floating cities may become a reality
with the advancing technology in
construction and the shortage of land.

OCEAN RECLAMATION
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CHAPTER: 5

5.1.4.Advantages
2. Increase in the land area of country (with more land, more buildings and
infrastructure can be built).
3. Any shape, any size, any where
4. Use of waste for land reclamation (excavated clay/ soil, rubber tires, plastics, etc.).

5.1.5.Disadvantages
1 . Possibility of settlement
(sand has the potential to settle several centimeters or more, which could lead to
future issues with the infrastructure that was built on top of it).
2. Surrounding geography
Coastal water flow and wave conditions followed its natural movement, along the
original coastline along Dubai. Since construction of the island, water flow properties
have changed, and the water is required to travel from the shoreline, around the
outside of the island, and back to the shoreline.
3. Ecosystem
Impact on organic life in area, destroying naturally occurring ecosystem.
4. Limitations
Limit to the amount of land that can be reclaimed (reclaim up to 15 in depth as more
sand will be needed).
5. Additional construction ground
For working; a working plateform is required. Very time consuming and difficult to
implement.
6. Excessive cost involved in construction (due to machines required for construction
and skilled labor).
7. Environmental impact
Due to removal and placement of sand
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CHAPTER: 5

8. Special provisions required (for earthquake and tsunami loads and wind and tidal
forces).

5.1.6.APPLICATION OF OCEAN RECLATION

Airports and Offshore Base
Entertainment Facilities
Residential and industrial purposes
Beach restoration

Kansai international airport

Reclamation for residential and industrial

purposes

The Gold Coast of Australia before and after beach restoration.

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CHAPTER: 5

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CHAPTER: 6

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION
As a tinged with tenor of futurism as all this sounds, the use of water based
structure stationary purpose is an ancient idea. Neolithic lake dwellers in such diverse
locales as Europe, Africa and Indian subcontinent built their homes on stilts sunk into
the bottom. These early design innovators commuted to and from the land, where they
hunted and engaged in agrarian pursuits, on wooden rafts which also were used to
transport foodstuff.
Why would anyone want to colonize the ocean surface? There are a number of
reasons adventure, religious freedom, tax avoidance, trying out new forms of
government, etc. Man is fast running out of living space. Only a quarter of our plant is
dry land; the rest is ocean. Amd our growing number are filling that quarter to bursting
point.we have to find a new place to live if we are to survive. There are three choices:
on other planet, underground, and on sea.
The reasons for an ocean based city are many, and the benefits of one are
considerable. It shall be a completely mam-made structure, situated in, the deep ocean.
A free floating structure state that can expand at will, and perhaps even more about, if
desired. It will be starting off small, as a city, and growing as needs presents them, and
as population and industry grow.
The attraction the sea offers for industrial expansion is based on the economy
and the environmental suitability of ocean based plateforms, coupled with the ability to
exploit the oceanic resources in more efficient manner.
Other solution to the increase in land or ocean colonization is reclamation
which has its set of disadvantages which can be overcome by the floating structures.
Ocean space will be progressively colonized by mankind in search of space,
energy and food. However, it is important to utilize the ocean in an environmentally
friendly and sustainable way, otherwise we could well destroy the remaining beautiful
resources that we have. Innovative technologies that exert a light urban footprint on the
environment, such as very large floating structures, are extent and available for all sorts
of applications.
Floating Structure (VLFS) is a unique concept of ocean structures primary
because of their unprecedented length, displacement cost and associated
hydroelastic response. Thus I conclude that very large floating structures
technique serves better than conventional method of land reclamation on sea
water.

RECOMDATION
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CHAPTER: 6

Sustainable characteristics need to be developed more and more in detail and

applied to many types of floating buildings. With the development of pontoon, mooring
and related floating technologies, the introduction of floating architecture will be
expanded and contribute enormously to enhance the sustainability of the earth in the
future.
(Sustainable characteristics of floating architecture can be summarized as followings:
recycled and relocatable usage, adoption of renewable energy techniques, installation
of self-supporting plant, application of modular system and others like new material &
open layout).

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LIVING ON WATER
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
i.

Ballast: Heavy material that is placed in the hold of a ship or the gondola of a
balloon to enhance stability. Or crushed rock, broken stone, etc., used for the
foundation of a road or railway track.

ii.

Barges: A long, large, usually flatbottom boat for transporting freight that is
generally unpowered and towed or pushed by other craft.

iii.

Buoyancy: The upward force that a fluid exerts on an object less dense than
itself.

iv.

Breakwater: A barrier that protects a harbor or shore from the full impact of
waves.

v.
vi.

Crater: A bowl-shaped depression at the mouth of a volcano or geyser.

Caisson: A watertight structure within which construction work is carried on
under water.

vii.

Dredging: Dredging is the maritime transportation of natural materials from one

part of the water environment to another by specialised dredging vessels.

viii.

EPS: expended poly styrene

ix.

Floating: Buoyed on or suspended in or as if in a fluid.

x.

Floating structures: A barge-like structure, with or without accommodations,

that is not used as a means of transportation on water.

xi.

Mooring: The act or an instance of making fast an aircraft or a vessel, as by a

cable or anchor. Equipment, such as anchors or chains, for holding fast a vessel
or an aircraft.

xii.

Pontoon: a watertight float or vessel used where buoyancy is required in water,

as in supporting a bridge, in salvage work, or where a temporary or

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LIVING ON WATER

mobile structure is required in military operations

xiii.

Rain bowing: The sand is sprayed by the dredging ships, which are guided by
GPS, onto the required area in a process known as rain bowing.

xiv.

Semisubmersible: A seagoing, self-propelled barge that rides at anchor, stands

on partially submerged vertical legs on submerged pontoons, and serves as
living quarters and a base of operations in offshore drilling. Also
called semisubmersible rig.

xv.

Submerged: to plunge, sink, or dive or cause to plunge, sink, or dive below the
surface of water, etc.

xvi.

Tugboats: A land, air, or space vehicle that moves or tows other vehicles:

xvii.

Land reclamation: Simply refers to the process of creating new land from the
oceans, riverbeds or the lakes.

xviii.
xix.

Landfill: The land that has been reclaimed.

Rain bowing: The sand is sprayed by the dredging ships, which are guided by
GPS, onto the required area in a process known as rain bowing.

xx.

Sedimentation: The act or process of depositing sediment.

xxi.

Winning: the extraction of sand or ore from the ground

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Webliography
LINKS

http://architecture-library.blogspot.in/#uds-search-results
http://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/living-water
Floating Recreational Hub | SANGEETA KUMARI | Archinect
http://www.worldarchitecture.org/theory-issues/
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/other-shows/videos/mega-engineering-

building-a-floating-city.htm
http://www.beckettrankine.com/category/topics/projects-structure/pontoons-

floating-structures
http://www.marinahousing.fi/en/buildings/concepts/
http://www.enggpedia.com/civil-engineering-encyclopedia/megastructures/palm-

islands-dubai
http://www.floatingconcepts.co.uk/about-us/waterliving_faqs.html
http://www.rigzone.com/training/insight.asp?insight_id=305&c_id=12
http://kcubbin.tripod.com/id24.html

EBOOKS

FDN Group-Brochure Dutch Floating Breakwaters & Floating Structure

Technology; Marine Mega Store Ltd

Elizabeth Fenuta
Amphibious Architectures: The Buoyant Foundation Project; Post-Katrina New
Orleans; 2010

REPORTS

Pierre Ferrant, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, France

Report of the Ocean Engineering Committee; September 2008

E. Watanabe, C.M. Wang,T.Utsunomiya and T. Moan

Very large floating structures: applications, analysis and design; 2004

Sahil K.A.(Cochin University of Science and Technology)
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Very Large Floating structures; 2012-13

T. Frudio:

Second phase construction project of Kansai International Airport

UNPUBLISHED THESIS

Author: Maarten Koekoek (Student of Delft University of Technology)

Connecting modular floating structures; October, 2010
Amit Kumar Singh; Civil Engineering OEC, Bhubaneswar

An Introduction To Very Large Floating Structures;

Siraj Basheer;
The palm island dubai; 2010
ARTICLES

Changho Moon (Kunsan National University, Korea)

Sustainable Characteristics of Floating Architecture; October 2011

Changho Moon (Kunsan National University, Korea)

Changho Moon (Kunsan National University, Korea)

Floating Building as a New Paradigm of Architecture;

A Study on the Sustainable Features of Realized and Planned
Floating Building; 2011
Floating concrete structures;
VSL International Ltd. Berne / Switzerland; July 1992
Chiaki satoken-ichi inoue(Floating structures (mega-float) technology
department)
Results of 6 years research project of mega-float; 1998

Colin Gibling Memorial University St. John's, NL

Construction Process and Post-Construction Impacts of the Palm

Jumeirah in Dubai; 2013

Ren Kolman, Secretary General, International Association of Dredging

Companies

New land by the sea: economically and Socially,land reclamation

pays;
PRESENTATIONS

Indratmo Jaring Prasojo;

Introduction to floating structures; November 2010

Amit Singh

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An introduction to very large floating structures; 2012

S.Mridul Naidu

Artificial islands; 2010

Jill Atkinson, David McMilliin, Pamela Hile

Kansai International Airport Terminal; 2008

Land reclamation

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CHAPTER: 1
INTRODUCTION

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CHAPTER: 2
IDENTIFIYING TYPES OF
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUIES

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CHAPTER: 3
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

CHAPTER: 4
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CASE STUDIES

CHAPTER: 5
ANALYSIS

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CHAPTER: 6
CONCLUSION

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Aparna Kulshrestha