Abstract
AbstractGlass-fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRPs) are commonly used in various applications in civil-engineering projects. However, they are not common in the construction of civil-marine structures. The GFRP caisson technology was developed for the construction of two mooring dolphins in Puerto el Rosario (Fuerteventura, Spain). Ultraviolet-protected glass-fiber and epoxy resin coats were used to build a 12-m diameter, 13.3-m high cylindrical structure. A finite-element model was used to verify the sandwich composite configuration using the Tsai–Hill criteria—the shear strength of the skins and honeycomb core and the buckling and local failure modes with respect to the composite configuration. This is the first time that the two caissons were designed and built of polymeric materials and installed in a seaport. Accordingly, the construction technique marks a milestone in civil engineering because of its highly innovative nature in addition to significantly reducing the time associated with and the complexi...
Highlights
Two main techniques are used to build docking infrastructures for ships - sloped or vertical concrete breakwater structures
The material selected for this solution was a glass/epoxy composite (GFRP), and an aluminum honeycomb was used to increase the composite stiffness in vertical walls and in the bottom slab
Summing up, in comparison with traditional concrete techniques to enlarge sea ports, Glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRPs) caissons construction technology presents several benefits: - Low weight of GFRP caissons and easy transport of the pieces worldwide. - Using GFRP, big cranes or complex equipment are not necessary for placing caissons in the water due to their reduced weight. - Fabrication in factory and assembly on site reduces the need for big construction areas. - Port operations are not affected by the construction work. - The construction process reduces emissions
Summary
Two main techniques are used to build docking infrastructures for ships - sloped or vertical concrete breakwater structures. The environmental impact of this strategy is important because the manufacturing of concrete requires crushed rocks and sand to be extracted from a quarry, placing a heavy demand on energy use Given all of these issues, it appears evident that a new construction strategy for building docks in seaports using caisson-type solutions that are environmentally friendly and less intrusive on port operations should be developed. Consistent with this new thinking, structures have been developed using glass/epoxy composite rather than concrete and pre-fabricated elements that have to be assembled on site. There are no examples of composites being used to build caissons for seaports
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