Archive for April 2016

Caisson Construction

Port of Piraeus, Greece

Slipformed Caisson

Slipformed caissons for the West Pier 3 expansion, Port of Piraeus, Greece – 2016

40 large concrete caissons were slipformed for the Port of Piraeus, West Pier 3 expansion project, just south of Athens. The individual caisson boxes were built on a large, semi-submersible barge. After slipforming was completed, the barge was lowered into the water and the caissons floated away to their final locations. The overall caisson dimensions are 24.8 m x 13.1 m, with a height of 19.5 m. The wall thickness varies between 0.3 m and 0.4 m.

Vertical slipform construction is eminently suited for offshore and marine structures because of the high degree of durability that can be achieved with the slipform process. There are no construction joints because slipforming is a continuous process that does not stop until the structure is completed. There is also no need for form ties and rebar bolsters when using this construction method, resulting in an extremely durable structure.

Gleitbau GmbH was hired by J/V Routsis S.A. – Tekal S.A. to provide the equipment and supervision for the slipform operation, including the geometry control. Work is expected to be completed in 2016. Gleitbau is an industry leading slipform company and works on projects all over the world, including North America.

Slipformed Caisson

Aerial view of the slipform operation, taking place on top of a semi-submersible barge.