運輸省第二港湾建設局横浜調査設計事務所 Yokohama Research and Design Office, Second District Port Construction Bureau, Ministry Of Transport, Japan.
横浜市中区北仲通5−57 5-57 Kitanaka- street Naka- ku Yokohama, Japan
KEYWORDS; reduction, work force shortage, fabricated parts, caisson, composite panel, joint, FEM
ABSTRACT
On the site where port caisson is constructed, we usually need a lot of skilled workmen and labours. We have developed Panel System Caisson Method, which solves problem of the workman's making to aged and the lack of manpower on the site.
The caisson consists of mainly 3 block parts, base plates, composite panels, and steel internal frames. These parts were fabricated at the factory and carried into the site in Port of Yokosuka, and assembled there. In this case during 1994 to 1995, we have confirmed the effects of operating reduction to cope with the problems of labour power.
The most structural characteristic is a joint method. Panel System Caisson has realized that the stress of the reinforced concrete is transmitted in the joint part. We have analyzed the behavior of the stress distribution in each element and internal frames with 3-D FEM solution. In addition, we have confirmed that these design techniques is appropriate by the stress examination.
We get some merits by using composite panels and steel base plate. For example, the length of footing can be longer, and the body weight is lighter than RC structure. Therefore, Panel System Caisson is consequentially advantageous on weak soil. In general, the structure of the prefab method becomes advantageous in the cost as production increases. Application of Panel System Caisson under various conditions is being examined now.
