EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON REINFORCEMENT OF RC CAISSON BY SOLIDIFICATION OF FILLING MATERIALS

Abstract

 The case of upgrading the structural performance of an existing breakwater is increasing to extend the service life and enhance the resistance against extreme forces. Therefore, the needs for reinforcing the existing caisson is increasing. The method of solidification of filling materials may be one solution. However, the effect of the solidification on reinforcement of the caisson has not been well-understood. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of solidification of filling materials on the load-bearing performance of the caisson through experiments.

 The static loading test was carried out with four types of the caisson model specimen. One of the results showed that the load-bearing capacity of the RC wall was significantly increased by solidification of filling materials. Moreover, the deformation of RC wall of the specimen was decreased with increasing the compressive strength of the solidified material as well as the thickness of it. From these results, the solidification of filling materials may contribute to a decrease in the deformation as well as an increase in load-bearing capacity of the RC wall of the caisson model.