Chapter 5 Coffer Dam

Coffer Dam
INTRODUCTION
• Cofferdams are temporary enclosures to keep out water and soil so as to permit dewatering and
construction of the permanent facility (structure) in the dry.
• Removal of the cofferdam must be planned and executed with the same degree of care as its
installation, on a stage-by-stage basis. S heet piles extending below the permanent structure are often
cut off and left in place, since their removal may damage the foundation soils adjacent to the
structure.
• In cofferdam construction, safety is a paramount concern, since workers will be exposed to the
hazard of flooding and collapse.
TYPES OF COFFERDAM:
(a) Earthen cofferdam
(b) Rock-fill cofferdam
(c) Single-walled cofferdam
(d) Double-walled cofferdam
(e) Crib cofferdam
(f) Cellular cofferdam (Circular or diaphragm type)
(a) Earthen cofferdam:

It essentially consists of an earthen embankment built around the area to be enclosed. As a
precautionary measure, the earth bank is carried about one metre above the water level. The top
width of the bank should not be less than 1 m. and the side slopes in a vary from 1 : 1 to 1 : 2. The
earth embankment should be built from a mixture of clay and sand or clay and gravel.
Section of an Earthen Cofferdam

(b) Rock-fill cofferdam:
This construction is adopted only if the stone is easily available in the nearby areas. The stones are
assembled in the required shape of the embankment and the voids are partially filled with earth
and stone-chips. The side slope on the water side is protected by pitching.
Section of Rock-fill Cofferdam
(c) Single-walled cofferdam:
This type of cofferdam is used in places where the area to be enclosed is very small and the depth
of water is more, say 4.5 to 6 m. The sheets on the two faces arc braced by trussed arrangement of
struts. This helps in increasing the stability of walls against the water pressure. Half-filled bags of
sand stacked on the inside and the outside faces of the sheets help in increasing the stability of
cofferdam. After the cofferdam is constructed, the water in the enclosed area is pumped out and
the construction work is taken up.
Single Walled Cofferdam

(d) Double-walled cofferdam:
For cofferdams required to enclose larger areas in deep water, single wall type becomes
uneconomical as larger sections of trussed struts would be necessary to resist the water pressure.
Double-walled cofferdam is provided in such situations. Its construction is essentially the same as
that of a single-walled cofferdam except that in place of one wall, a pair of walls with a gap in
between is used all along the boundary of the space to be enclosed.
Double Walled Cofferdam

(e) Crib cofferdam:
In deep waters where it is difficult to penetrate the guide piles or sheet piles into the hard bed
below, crib cofferdam is used. In this type of construction, the sheet piles are supported by a series
of wooden cribs.
Crib cofferdam
(f ) Cellular cofferdam:
This type of cofferdam is mostly used for de-watering large areas in places where the depth of
water may be of the order of 18 to 21 m. Cellular cofferdams are mostly used during the
construction of marine structures like dams, locks etc. Cellular cofferdam is made by driving
straight web steel sheet piles, arranged to from a series of inter-connected cells.
(i) Circular type cellular cofferdam.
(ii) Diaphragm type cellular cofferdam.
(i) Circular type cellular cofferdam:

The circular type of cellular cofferdam has the advantage that each cell may be filled completely
to the top before starting the construction of the next cell without causing any distortion to the shell
of the cofferdam, Thus, when one cell is completely filled up it can be used for placing crane or
other equipment required for the construction of other cells.
Circular Type Cellular Cofferdam

(ii) Diaphragm type cellular cofferdam:
This Consists of a series of diaphragm of steel sheet piles connected as shown in the image
below. The straight diaphragm wails are connected to each other by steel piles arranged in the
form of arches on either side.
Diaphragm type Cellular Cofferdam

COFFERDAM COMPONENTS:
• Sheet piling
Sheet piling is a manufactured construction product with a mechanical connection “interlock” at
both ends of the section. These mechanical connections interlock with one another to form a
continuous wall of sheeting.
• Bracing frame
• Concrete seal
The typical cofferdam, such as a bridge pier, consists of sheet piles set around a bracing frame
and driven into the soil sufficiently far to develop vertical and lateral support and to cut off the
flow of soil and, in some cases the flow of water.
5. COFFERDAM CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE:
For a typical cofferdam, such as for a bridge pier, the construction procedure follow the listed
pattern.
1. Pre-dredge to remove soil or soft sediments and level the area of the cofferdam
2. Drive temporary support piles

3. Temporarily erect bracing frame on the support piles
4. Set steel sheet piles, starting at all four corners and meeting at the center of each side
5. Drive sheet piles to grade
6. Block between bracing frame and sheets, and provide ties for sheet piles at the top as necessary
7. Excavate inside the grade or slightly below grade, while leaving the cofferdam full of water
8. Drive bearing piles

9. Place rock fill as a leveling and support course
10. Place tremie concrete seal

11. Check blocking between bracing and sheets
12. Dewater
13. Construct new structure (Fig. a and b).

14. Flood cofferdam (Fig. b).
15. Remove sheet piles
16. Remove bracing

17. Backfill

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Chapter 5 Coffer Dam

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Coffer Dam

(a) Earthen cofferdam:

Section of an Earthen Cofferdam

Single Walled Cofferdam

Double Walled Cofferdam

(i) Circular type cellular cofferdam:

Circular Type Cellular Cofferdam

Diaphragm type Cellular Cofferdam

2. Drive temporary support piles

8. Drive bearing piles

10. Place tremie concrete seal

13. Construct new structure (Fig. a and b).

15. Remove sheet piles

16. Remove bracing

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