TIONG WOON OASIS PTE LTD

CAISSON LOAD-OUT/LAUNCHING
METHODOLOGY
Airbag Technology
Case Study of Son Duong Port (Samsung C&T)

What are caissons?

1. Reinforced concrete blocks for
offshore engineering construction
2. Form breakwater foundation,
depth ranging from 2-30m
3. Withstand environmental loads
such as wind, currents
Case Study of Son Duong Port (Samsung C&T)

Current methodology
Onshore construction of
caissons
Simultaneous construction
of 2 caissons
Load-out onto floating
dock via IP-CCVs (pre-
installed hydraulic movers)
Repeat construction of
caissons

2 caissons being constructed side-by-side

Case Study of Son Duong Port (Samsung C&T)

Step 1

Reinforcing steel is first laid

to shape the base of the
caisson. This ensures a
strong structural foundation
required for casting in later
stages.
Case Study of Son Duong Port (Samsung C&T)

Step 2

Walls along its side are erected using a

gantry tower. Subsequently, concrete is
poured into the casted structure and
allowed to cure. The process is
repeated until the entire caisson is
completed.
Case Study of Son Duong Port (Samsung C&T)

Step 3

Right: Full-constructed caisson moved

from along the quay during load-out

(Left): Load-out operation of caissons

aided by IP-CCVs (hydraulic prime
movers of a skidding system).
Case Study of Son Duong Port (Samsung C&T)

Step 4

The caisson is completely loaded-out

onto the floating dock. Each vessel is
able to accommodate a maximum of 2
caissons, given the dimensions
 Current Methodology (-)
Elaborate installation plans for skidding
system (time-consuming and high fixed initial
investment costs)
Additional costs of piling to fulfil line load
ground bearing capacity (skidding system)
Uniform load stresses due to small contact
area of each IP-CCV unit compromises
structural integrity of caisson
Limited to construction of 2 caissons at once
Proposed Methodology
Load-out of caissons via airbags from
construction site to floating dock
 Proposed Methodology

A. Side-shift caisson
Caisson
B. Realign airbags
C. Load-out of caisson
Precast Site Precast Site
Track Record

Project: Load-out of caissons

Weight: 2500T
No. of units: 36
Location: Guangzhou Nansha Port
Load-out Procedure
Step 2: Construction of caisson

Gantry slipform set-up

 Load-out Procedure

Step 3:
1. Installation of rigging system
Winch
Wire
Pulley
Shackle

2. Insertion of airbags and removal of I-beams

 Load-out Procedure

Step 4: Moving of caisson to floating dock and laying of

continuous airbags
 Load-out Procedure

Step 5: Load-out process of caisson

Load-out Procedure
Step 6:
1. Removal of the caisson to its
final position
2. Insertion of keel blocks
 Proposed Methodology (+)

Reduces huge initial investment costs on IP-CCV system

and piling works
Capable of constructing 8-10 caissons concurrently
Ground bearing on quay is reduced due to uniform load
distribution across larger contact area of airbags
Allows for significant tolerances between quay and
floating dock
Possible elimination of floating dock, given favourable
draught and tide conditions (Utilization of slipways)
Direct-launching Methodology
Launching Procedure

18m

Diameter1m
Length18m
Pressure0.3MPa
Launching Procedure