Caisson is a watertight retaining structure used in construction work underwater or in waterlogged soil. It is a crucial component in the building of bridges, dams, and other marine structures. Caissons are typically hollow boxes or cylinders that are sunk into the ground to create a dry working environment for construction below the waterline. They can be made from various materials such as concrete, steel, or timber, depending on the project requirements and site conditions. The process involves excavating the soil within the caisson and filling it with concrete to create a solid foundation. Caissons have played a significant role in the history of civil engineering, enabling the construction of iconic structures like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Eiffel Tower. They have evolved over time, with advancements in materials and technology allowing for larger and more complex designs. Today, caissons continue to be an essential tool in underwater construction, facilitating the development of critical infrastructure in challenging environments.
underwater construction, marine engineering, bridge foundations, dam construction, waterlogged soil, excavation, concrete structures, civil engineering, iconic structures
A caisson is a versatile engineering structure that has been used for various purposes throughout history. It is essentially an enclosed chamber that can be used underwater for construction, excavation, or other purposes. The word caisson has its roots in the French language, where it originally referred to a small chest. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass a wide range of structures used in different contexts. One of the primary uses of caissons is in the construction of bridges and other structures that require deep foundations. Caissons can be used to support bridge piers or to provide a dry working space for crews to work on the foundation or structure itself. They can also be used to dredge riverbeds for excavation and dredging. Caissons come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on their intended use. They can be cylindrical or box-like structures made of steel, timber, or reinforced concrete. They are designed to be watertight and to bear the weight of the structure without settling into the ground. Some caissons are even equipped with airlocks that allow divers and equipment to be transported below water level. To design a caisson better, engineers must consider the specific requirements of the project at hand. Factors such as the depth of the water, the weight of the structure, and the type of soil or rock present in the area must all be taken into account. The size and shape of the caisson must also be carefully chosen to ensure that it can provide the necessary support and stability. In summary, a caisson is an engineering structure used for various purposes, including the construction of bridges, deep foundations, locks, docks, and other underwater works. It is an enclosed chamber that can be used to provide support for structures or to create a dry working space for crews. To design a caisson better, engineers must carefully consider the specific requirements of the project and choose the appropriate size, shape, and material for the structure.
engineering, construction, underwater, support, stability
A caisson is a cylindrical or box-like structure which is typically constructed of steel, timber, or reinforced concrete. It is used in civil engineering and architecture as a foundation element that is sunk into the ground and filled with concrete or other material to form a base for a structure or to provide stability or support for a bridge, pier, or other structure. The caisson is designed to be watertight and to bear the weight of the structure without settling into the ground. The caisson is also used to create a dry working space for crews to work under water on the foundation or structure itself. The caisson is lowered into a pre-excavated hole and it can be used in a variety of ways depending on the project and the requirements of the structure.
Foundations, Bearing, Structure, Stability, Support
Masonry caisson is a structural element that serves to support a structure such as a building in a vertical or horizontal direction, through the use of masonry walls, columns, and piers. Characterized by masonry stones or blocks that are stacked together in a regular pattern, caissons are most often used to create walls, columns, and piers that support a structure, providing stability and integrity to the structure. The masonry caisson is typically constructed from brick, stone, or stonework and is used to create a strong, durable, and lasting structure. The caisson is often connected to other elements, such as beams and joists, in order to create a strong and rigid structure. Caissons can also be used to create strong foundations for buildings, allowing them to withstand the elements and maintain their structural integrity.
Masonry, Block, Wall, Column, Pier
The French word caisson is a noun denoting a sealed or airtight case or container and has been incorporated into the English language. It is an interesting lexical item for exploration, as it can offer a great deal of insight into the connections between English and French, as well as the evolution of the language more generally.
Lexical relations, etymology, morphology, cognates, synonyms, antonyms, variants, French origin, semantic evolution, spelling changes
The word “Caisson” is an interesting example of how a word can evolve over time. Its origin is French; derived from the word “cabesson” which translates to a “small chest”. The word first appears in the 16th century, where it was used to refer to a wooden, coffin-shaped watertight chamber used to raise sunken ships. Gradually, the word “caisson” was adopted to refer to any watertight chamber, especially related to maritime activities. By the 19th century the term had been expanded to the military context; it was applied to describe a bombproof chamber that was used to protect personnel and equipment during the construction of defensive structures. Today its primary usage is to refer to a sealed chamber created in water for construction purposes, where personnel may enter without being exposed to water pressure or atmospheric pressure. It is typically used in the field of engineering. The etymological evolution of the word “caisson” reflects its changing meaning and usage over time, and the changes in the way in which it is used and understood.
Etymology, Morphology, Pragmatics, History, Evolution
The term caisson refers to a large sealed chamber which is used underwater for construction or other purposes. This term has been adopted by many languages, with a variety of translations. In Dutch, caisson is translated as kazemat, in French as caisson, caisses, or armoires, in German as Kaissen or Kasten, in Italian as cassa, in Polish as kaseton, in Portuguese as caixão, in Spanish as cajón, and in Swedish as kassett respectively. Furthermore, the term caisson can be found in languages such as Japanese (貯蔵槽, chozo-sō), Chinese (支座, zhīzuò), Danish (kais), Estonian (kasti), Lithuanian (kastas), and Norwegian (kaiser), amongst several others.
caisson, kazemat, caisses, armoires, Kaissen, Kasten, cassa, kaseton, caixão, cajón, kassett, 貯蔵槽, chozo-sō, 支座, zhīzuò, kais, kasti, kastas, kaiser
CITATION : "Harris Awan. 'Caisson.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=223767 (Accessed on June 15, 2025)"
A caisson is an engineering structure used in the construction of bridges, deep foundations, locks, docks and other underwater works. It is an enclosed chamber with a floor that allows divers and equipment to be transported below water level. Caisson's are also used to provide support for bridge piers and can be used to dredge riverbeds for excavation and dredging. A notable example of a caisson is the Eads Bridge, which was built across the Mississippi River in 1874, using pneumatic caissons. The use of caissons was pioneered by French engineer, Marie Alphonse Auguste Fourier, who built the first caissons in 1864.
Caisson, bridge, riverbed, dredging, piers, construction, Fourier, Eads, excavation, pneumatic, engineering, locks, docks, underwater.
We have 216.545 Topics and 472.615 Entries and Caisson has 8 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Caisson today.