GB1287000A - Apparatus for the manufacture of floating concrete structures in a body of water - Google Patents

Abstract

1287000 Floating structures H C GEORGII 17 Dec 1969 [20 Dec 1968] 61536/69 Heading E1H A buoyant concrete-structure is manufactured while floating on water 4 protected from wave action by a floating concrete-ring 1, which has buoyancy and ballast tanks 2 and is secured by cables 17 to an annular anchor 19. When the structure is complete some of the tanks 2 are flooded so that the ring descends and heels sufficiently to allow the structures to pass over a deck 9 in an opening 10. Alternatively, the ring is made to rise and heel so that the structure can pass through an opening 13. An additional set of buoyancy and ballast tanks 12 may be provided on one side of the ring to support a deck 11. Sections of the structure may be pre-cast on said decks and launched into the water 4 or the circumjacent water while the ring is tilted. Cement, sand and gravel for the preparation of concrete at stations 8 may be stored in some of the tanks 2, 12. Helicopter platforms 7 may be provided on buildings 6. At least one of the tanks 2 may be open at both ends and serve as a dock for a cylindrical vessel, Figs. 8 to 10 (not shown), wherein materials are transported to the ring. The vessel normally floats horizontally and is submersible so that it can be directed in a vertical attitude through the bottom of the tank with the aid of a guide cable extending from the ring to the anchor. Access to longitudinally-extending cargo-spaces in the vessel is gained by way of the upper end of the tank. The anchor has ballast tanks therein that are similar to the tanks 2 so that it can be raised and made to float when the ring is to be re-sited. The ring I may be replaced by a similar body having a substantially C-shaped configuration in plan view, Fig. 7 (not shown).