Recommended Reading Lists

to the cofferdam wall. It also provides watertightness when filled with earth and rock. Movable cofferdams of timber, steel, or concrete have been built, but their uses and designs are very similar to those discussed under boxes and open caissons, below. Caissons Caissons are boxes or chambers used for construction work underwater. There are three forms of caissons used in constructing foundations underwater: box, open, and pneumatic caisson. If the structure is open at the top and closed at the bottom, it is called a box caisson. If it is open both at the top and the bottom, it is an open caisson. If it is open at the bottom and closed at the top, and compressed air is used, it is a pneumatic caisson. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between a cofferdam and caisson. In general, if the structure is self-contained and does not depend upon the surrounding material for support, it is a caisson. However, if the structure requires such support as sheathing or sheet piling, it is a cofferdam. Retaining walls and piers may be built of boxes of wood, steel, or reinforced concrete, floated into place and then filled with various materials. These are known as floating caissons. Open caissons may be constructed of wood or steel sheet piling. The preceding information provides only a basic understanding of heavy construction. As with other phases of construction, specialized tools and equipment will be required. The Table of Allowance (TOA) at your command will have these items. Follow all safety rules and manufacturers’ recommendations for operations and maintenance. RECOMMENDED READING LIST NOTE Although the following reference was current when this TRAMAN was published, its continued currency cannot be assured. You therefore need to ensure that you are studying the latest revision. Pile Construction, Field Manual 5-134, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C., 1985. 10-17