Key information

Title
Concrete construction and a method for constructing the same
Application number
20210636
Case type
National
Status
15.12.2022 P.g.a. manglende svar. Søker har ikke begjært gjenopptakelse
Filed
21.05.2021
Effective date
21.05.2021
Publicly available
22.11.2022
Applicant
Solinova AS (NO) et al.
Inventor
Knut Solberg (NO) et al.
Agent
ONSAGERS AS (NO)

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
The present invention relates to a method for construction of a concrete construction, wherein the comprises the following steps: -transporting a plurality of floating concrete elements to a construction site, -arranging the plurality of concrete elements around an imaginary center in the body of water, - bringing the plurality of concrete elements towards the imaginary center, -fastening each concrete element to a connection point through connection means, -arranging one or more weights on each concrete element, near an end of the concrete element facing towards the imaginary center, -connecting the plurality of concrete elements together through securing means arranged around a periphery of the of the concrete construction -fixating two adjacent concrete elements together through one or more precast reinforcement bars, and -filling a recess provided between two adjacent concrete elements with concrete, forming the concrete construction. The present invention also relates to a concrete construction according to the method.

Publications

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Documents

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Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 21.04.2023 10-01 Saksbehandling 20210636 UT Endelig Henleggelse ONSAGERS AS
 04.04.2023 09-01 Saksbehandling 20210636 UT PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20210636) ONSAGERS AS
 29.12.2022 08-01 Saksbehandling 20210636 UT Henlagt manglende svar NO ONSAGERS AS
 15.09.2022 07-01 Saksbehandling 20210636 UT Realitet patent ONSAGERS AS
 14.06.2022 06-05 Saksbehandling 20210636 INN P28042NO00 Figures_amended June 2022 1058208 ONSAGERS AS
 14.06.2022 06-04 Saksbehandling 20210636 INN 20210636 P28042NO00_specification amended_14-06-22_Clean ONSAGERS AS
 14.06.2022 06-03 Saksbehandling 20210636 INN 20210636 P28042NO00_specification amended_14-06-22 Marked copy ONSAGERS AS
 14.06.2022 06-02 Saksbehandling 20210636 INN 20210636 P28042NO00 Letter_to_NIPO_Jun_14,_2022_ ONSAGERS AS
 14.06.2022 06-01 Saksbehandling 20210636 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ONSAGERS AS
 15.12.2021 05-02 Saksbehandling 20210636 UT PT report 09:11:23
15.12.2021 05-01 Saksbehandling 20210636 UT Realitet patent ONSAGERS AS
 17.08.2021 04-03 Saksbehandling 20210636 INN 20210636 signert fullmakt fra begge søkere ONSAGERS AS
 17.08.2021 04-02 Saksbehandling 20210636 INN 20210636 signert erklæring fra begge søkere ONSAGERS AS
 17.08.2021 04-01 Saksbehandling 20210636 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ONSAGERS AS
 26.05.2021 03-01 Saksbehandling 20210636 UT Formalia 1 ONSAGERS AS
 26.05.2021 02-01 Saksbehandling 20210636 UT Infobrev til oppfinner ONSAGERS AS
 21.05.2021 01-03 Saksbehandling 20210636 INN P28042NO00 Specification ONSAGERS AS
 21.05.2021 01-02 Saksbehandling 20210636 INN P28042NO00 Figures ONSAGERS AS
 21.05.2021 01-01 Saksbehandling 20210636 INN Søknadsskjema Patent ONSAGERS AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
The present invention relates to a modular concrete construction for breeding of fish and/or other aquatic organisms and a method for constructing the same.There has been a drive for many years within the field of construction to increase offshore manufacturing whilst reducing the amount of site work required. This allows for reductions in site costs and reduction in the risk of injury to site workers on multi-trade sites. Due to this, it has been developed concepts of using structural elements that by their nature are then difficult to waterproof due to the arrangement of joints between the different structural elements and/or sections and the risk for differential movement causing the joints or connections to become unsound during the lifetime of the construction.A large number of different types of storage tanks for liquid are known. For instance, those tanks constructed by using the traditional casting moulds and/or shorings and other constructed by prefabricated modular and/or structural elements that are transported to a site where the storage tank is to be built. The latter type of storage tank corresponds to the modular construction and the method for constructing the same of the present invention.There are also known a number of different marine installations for farming of fish and other aquatic organisms. The most known installations are net cages or breeding cages, where these are designed with floating elements at the top, to which floating elements flexible side walls are connected to and where a bottom is connected to the flexible side walls.US 2018/0178977 A1 relates to a fluid structure comprising an electronic leak detection and location system, wherein the fluid retraining structure comprises inner and outer liners that form electrical isolation layers of the electronic leak detection and location system, wherein an electrically conductive signal layer of the electronic leak detection and location system provides structural rigidity to the fluid retaining structure.US 2019/0316375 A1 relates to storage structures and more particularly to storage structures made from pre-cast or pre-stressed concrete components.US 2014/0151378 A1 relates to a modular system for constructing liquid storage tanks, comprising prefabricated reinforced concrete modular elements designed and adapted to be coupled together to form the tank walls and having means for engaging the bottom slab or foundation. Optionally, the system further comprises elements which mate with the tank wall elements in order to build a covered tank. In one embodiment of the system, the modular wall elements include a prestressing wire or strand embedded in its structure and to which a tensile force is applied to produce a compressive stress in the side of the wall element that is contact with the liquid stored in the tank. Optionally, the constructing system comprises elements to form divisions or cells inside the storage tank.It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular concrete construction for breeding of fish and/or other aquatic organisms and a method for construction of same which overcomes one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative.Another object is to provide more cost-effective construction methods and solutions than present practice for design and construction of concrete structures for fish farming.These objects are achieved according to the present invention with a concrete structure for fish farming as defined in the independent claims. Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.The present invention relates to a method for construction of a concrete construction comprising a plurality of floating concrete elements, where the method may comprise the following steps of transporting a plurality of floating concrete elements to a construction site, the construction cite being offshore or at a river, pond, lake or the like, with a vessel or truck, unloading the plurality of concrete elements from the vessel or truck into a body of water and arranging the plurality of concrete elements around an imaginary center in the body of water, using connection means to pull each concrete element towards the imaginary center and fastening the concrete element to a connection point arranged on each concrete element through the connection means, whereafter one or more weights are arranged on each concrete element, near an end of each concrete element facing towards the imaginary center, connecting the plurality of concrete elements together through securing means arranged around a periphery of the concrete construction and fixating two adjacent concrete elements together through one or more precast reinforcement elements, and filling a recess provided between two adjacent concrete elements with concrete, thereby forming the concrete construction.According to one exemplary embodiment, the method for construction of a concrete construction, where the concrete construction may comprise a plurality of floating concrete elements and at least one center element, the method may comprise the following steps of transporting a plurality of floating concrete elements and a center element to a construction site, the construction cite being offshore or at a river, pond, lake or the like, with a vessel or truck, unloading the plurality of concrete elements and the center element from the vessel or truck into a body of water and arranging the plurality of concrete elements around the at least one center element in the body of water, using connection means to pull each concrete element onto the at least one center element and fastening the concrete element to a connection point through the connection means, whereafter one or more weights are arranged on each concrete element, near an end of each concrete element facing towards center element, connecting the plurality of concrete elements together through securing means arranged around a periphery of the concrete construction and fixating two adjacent concrete elements together through one or more precast reinforcement elements, and filling a recess provided between two adjacent concrete elements with concrete, thereby forming the concrete construction.According to one exemplary embodiment, the method may comprise the step of, after the step of arranging the concrete elements around the at least one center element, lifting each concrete element onto and into contact with the center element through one or more lifting devices. The one or more lifting devices may, for instance, be a lifting bolt, lifting eye or the like.According to the present invention, a connection and fastening arrangement may be used to control the position of each concrete element relative the at least one center element, where the connection and fastening arrangement may be used to pull each concrete element towards and onto the center element and thereafter to fasten each concrete element relative the center element through connection means and a connection point. The connection means may, for instance, be in form of one or more steel wires, one or more steel cables, one or more ropes or the like. The connection and fastening arrangement may, for instance, comprise a one or more bolts provided with fastening or mounting eye and a winch or the like.When each of the plurality of concrete elements is connected to the center element through the connection means, lifting devices arranged on each concrete element may be removed.Thereafter the method according to the present invention may comprise the step of fixating one or more weights to each dedicated concrete element. When the weights are fixated to the concrete elements, the weights will result in that the center element and parts of the plurality of concrete elements are lowered below a water surface, while opposite sides of the concrete elements are elevated above the water surface.The method according to the present invention may also comprise the step of leading or guiding the securing means through prearranged channels and/or precast grooves at a wide end of each concrete element or through a beam arranged on the wide end of the concrete element, in order to draw tight the concrete construction. The prearranged channels or pipes and/or precast grooves may be arranged in a transverse direction of the longitudinal length of the concrete element and extend over entire width or breadth of the concrete element, i.e. from one side to another side. When the concrete elements are drawn tight through appropriate means, the method may comprise the step of arranging a waterproof tarpaulin on a lower side of the plurality of concrete elements and the at least one center element, when such at least one center element is present, where an outer circumference of the waterproof tarpaulin may, in appropriate ways, for instance, be connected to an upper side of an outer edge of each concrete element.The method according to the present invention may thereafter comprise the steps of firstly removing the weights and thereafter pumping out water remaining on an inside of the concrete construction.The one or more reinforcement elements of each concrete element is/are connected or welded together with the one or more reinforcement elements in the neighboring or adjacent concrete elements and recesses or notches provided between adjacent concrete elements are sealed with fresh concrete.The one or more reinforcement elements may, for instance, be reinforcement bar(s) or rod(s), where the reinforcement elements may be arranged to extend a certain distance out from the concrete element. The reinforcement elements may further be arranged along a longitudinal length of the concrete element, at a distance from each other. In one embodiment, reinforcement elements may, for instance, be arranged near each end of the concrete element and at a middle of the concrete element.When the concrete construction is done, the waterproof tarpaulin may be removed. The present invention also relates to a concrete construction manufactured according to the method for construction of a concrete construction, where the concrete construction according to one exemplary embodiment may comprise a plurality of floating and assembled concrete elements, each concrete element being connected to one or more concrete elements through connection means, where two adjacent concrete elements further are connected to each other through securing means and fixated to each other through one or more reinforcement elements.According to one exemplary embodiment, the concrete construction may also comprise at least one center element, wherein a part of each concrete element cover the at least one center element partly, each concrete element being connected to one or more connection means, and where two adjacent concrete elements further are connected to each other through securing means and fixated to each other through one or more reinforcement elements.The concrete construction may have a circular shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, or a polygonal form. According to one exemplary embodiment, each concrete element may be prefabricated with a closed cavity, where the cavity may be filled with air, gas or foam in order to make the concrete element sufficient light to be able to float in a body of water. However, it could also be envisaged that each concrete element may be prefabricated with an open cavity, where the open cavity may be filled with a foam or the like in order to make the concrete element sufficient light to be able to float in a body of water. Alternatively, buoyant elements may, in appropriate ways, be connected to each concrete element in order to make the concrete element sufficient light to be able to float in a body of water.The concrete elements may, in one embodiment, when seen from above, have a form of a “cake piece” (i.e. a substantially triangular form). However, it is to be understood that the concrete elements may also have other forms, for instance a square-shaped form, a rectangular form, or a polygonal form.Each concrete element may, when seen in a cross-section and a sideview, have same thickness over substantially an entire length of the concrete element, or each concrete element may be fabricated to have a tapered form over its length (i.e. a first end of the concrete element is thicker than an opposite end of the concrete element).According to one aspect, the concrete elements may be fabricated, when seen in a cross-section, with a flat form, a curved form, a tapered form or combinations of these.Furthermore, all concrete elements may be fabricated to have the same form, or the concrete elements may be fabricated with complementary forms in order to be able to provide a “closed” concrete construction.Each concrete element may further, be provided with one or more lifting devices. The one or more lifting devices may be arranged in a vicinity of an end of the concrete element that will face towards the center element when the concrete construction is to be assembled. The one or more lifting devices may, for instance, be a lifting bolt, lifting eye or the like.The center element may, when such when seen in a cross-section from a side, be fabricated to have a pyramidal form.According to one aspect, the center element may be provided with a connection and fastening arrangement for the concrete elements, where the connection and fastening arrangement, during the assembling of the concrete construction, through connection means, is used to pull each concrete element towards and onto the center element and thereafter to fasten each concrete element relative the center element. The connection and fastening arrangement may, for instance, comprise one or more bolts provided with fastening or mounting eye, and a winch or the like. The connection means may, for instance, be in form of one or more steel wires, one or more steel cables, one or more ropes or the like.However, it should be understood that the connection and fastening arrangement could be arranged in other ways. A person skilled in the art would know how this could be done, whereby this is not described any further herein.According to one aspect, each concrete element may be provided with a number of channels and/or grooves for securing means. Such channels and/or grooves will accommodate the securing means, i.e. one or more steel wire(s), steel cable(s), rope(s), or the like, where the securing means is/are used to tighten together the plurality of concrete elements during the assembling of the concrete construction. The channels may be provided as throughgoing openings in the concrete element, while the grooves may be provided in an outer surface of the concrete element, on a side of the concrete element which faces away from an inner delimited volume provided when the concrete construction has been assembled.When the concrete elements are arranged around an imaginary center or the at least one center element, a number of securing means, i.e. one or more steel wire(s), steel cable(s) or rope(s) are guided through the channels and/or grooves provided in the concrete elements in order to provide a “closed” ring around an periphery of the concrete construction, whereafter the securing means is/are used to tighten together the plurality of concrete elements.However, it could also be envisaged that the channels and/or grooves could be provided in or on a beam connected to an end of each concrete element.According to one embodiment each concrete element may be manufactured with one or more reinforcement elements, where a part of the reinforcement element(s) may be cast within the concrete element and a part of the reinforcement element may extend a distance out from each side of the concrete element. The reinforcement elements may further be arranged along a longitudinal length of the concrete element, at a distance from each other.According to one aspect, each concrete element may be provided with one or more grinded sides, where the grinded side(s), when the plurality of concrete elements are pulled into contact with each other, will form a recess or notch between two adjacent concrete elements, where the recess or notch is to be filled with fresh concrete. When the concrete elements are pulled together and in contact or abutment with each other, during the assembling of the concrete construction, two neighboring or adjacent concrete elements are connected and fixed relative each other through the one or more reinforcements elements.The one or more reinforcement elements may, for instance, be reinforcement bar(s) or rod(s) or the like.The one or more reinforcement elements of each concrete element is/are connected or welded together with the one or more reinforcement elements in the neighboring or adjacent concrete elements and sealed with fresh concrete.Furthermore, each concrete may, on a side facing the at least one center element, be provided with a cut out that corresponds to a protrusion provided on the center element, thereby provided a tongue and groove mechanism.Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims, in which:Figures 1 and 2 show a cross-section of an exemplary concrete element for a concrete construction according to the present invention, seen in a side view and a top view,Figure 3 shows a cross-section of concrete elements before the concrete elements are assembled to form the concrete construction, seen in a side view,Figure 4 shows the concrete elements before the concrete elements are assembled to form the concrete construction, seen in a top view,Figures 5 and 6 show how the concrete elements are arranged around a center element of the concrete construction according to the present invention before the concrete elements are to be connected to the center element, where figure 5 shows the elements in a side view and figure 6 shows the elements in a top view, Figure 7 shows the connection between the center element and the concrete elements in greater detail,Figures 8 and 9 show how the concrete elements, when connected to the center element, can be raised from a substantially horizontal position shown in figure 8, to a position shown in figure 9, where the concrete elements form an angle with a horizontal plane,Figure 10 shows in greater detail how the concrete elements are connected and secured to each other through appropriate connection means, Figure 11 shows how a watertight tarpaulin is arranged to cover an underside of the concrete elements and the center element and fastened to the concrete elements, on an upper side of these,Figure 12 shows how an amount of water inside the concrete construction is pumped out,Figure 13 shows in greater details a concrete element and how the concrete element is designed,Figure 14 shows how three adjacent concrete elements are arranged and connected to each other,Figure 15 shows how a space between the adjacent concrete elements is filled with concrete in order to form a continuous construction,Figure 16 shows a finished concrete construction according to a first embodiment of the present invention,Figure 17 shows how a concrete element is provided with prearranged channels and/or grooves,Figure 18 shows a first embodiment of the concrete element according to figure 17 from above,Figure 19 shows the concrete element according to figure 18 in greater detail, Figure 20 shows a second embodiment of the concrete element according to figure 17 from above, andFigure 21 shows another exemplary embodiment of a concrete construction according to the present invention, seen in a top view,Figures 1 and 2 show a first exemplary embodiment of concrete elements 1 for a concrete construction C, where figure 1 shows a vertical cross-section through a concrete element 1 used to build the concrete construction C, where a plurality of such concrete elements 1 are used to form the concrete construction C.Each concrete element 1 has a buoyancy that will allow the concrete element 1 to float substantially horizontally in water. Each concrete element 1 may then be made with a cavity 13, where the cavity 13 may be filled with air, gas or foam that will make the concrete elements 1 sufficient light to be able to float.However, it could be envisaged that floating bodies (not shown) in appropriate ways may be attached or connected to each concrete element 1 so that the concrete elements 1 could float. In such an embodiment the concrete elements 1 could be made as solid elements, i.e. without a cavity 13.Similarly, a center element 2 may be made with a cavity, where the cavity may be filled with air, gas or foam that will make the center element 2 sufficient light to be able to float.However, it could be envisaged that floating bodies (not shown) in appropriate ways may be attached or connected to the center element 2 so that the center element 2 could float. In such an embodiment the center element 2 could be made as solid elements, i.e. without a cavity.When the method for construction of a concrete construction C according to present invention is used to build a new concrete construction C, according to a first embodiment, a plurality of concrete elements 1 and a center element 2 are loaded onto a vessel or truck (not shown), whereafter the vessel or truck is used to transport the concrete elements 1 and the center element 2 to a construction site, where the construction site in this exemplary embodiment is located offshore.However, it should be understood that the concrete construction according to the present invention could be constructed in a river, a pond, a lake or the like.When the vessel (not shown) or truck (not shown) transporting the different elements of the concrete construction C have arrived at the construction site offshore, the plurality of concrete elements 1 and the center element 2 are unloaded from the vessel and into the body of water W, where the plurality of concrete elements 1 and the center element 2 will float, whereafter the plurality of concrete elements 1 are arranged around the center element 2, as seen in figures 3 and 4. In this exemplary embodiment the concrete construction C is a circular concrete construction, whereby the concrete elements 1 have a tapering form over a length of the concrete element 1.When the plurality of concrete elements 1 are arranged around the center element 2, the tapering part of the concrete element 1 will face towards the center element 2. The center element 2 is provided, on a side of the center element 2 being in the body of water W, with a pyramidal form, when seen in a cross-section.Each concrete element 1 is, on a surface facing away from the water, provided with a lifting bolt 3, such that the concrete elements 1 may be pulled towards the center element 2 and lifted up onto the center plate 2. A part of the concrete element 1 that is facing the center element 2 is provided with a cut out 20, a recess or the like, such that a protrusion 21 provided on the center element 2 can be received in the cut out 20, the recess or the like, thereby providing a tongue and groove mechanism between each concrete element 1 and the center element 2.When the plurality of concrete elements 1 are “lifted up” onto the center element 2, each concrete element 1 is connected to a common center point 5 provided in the center element 2 through a connection means 4, where the connection means 4, for instance, may be in form of steel wire(s) or steel cable(s) or the like. A connection and fastening arrangement 6 may then be used to regulate the length of the connection means 4, in order to position each concrete element 1 correctly onto the center element 2.The connection and fastening arrangement 6 is used to pull each concrete element 1 towards and onto the center element 2 and thereafter to fasten each concrete element 1 relative the center element 2 through a connection point 5 provided in the center element 2. The connection and fastening arrangement 6 may, for instance, comprise a one or more bolts provided with fastening or mounting eye and a winch (not shown) or the like.When the concrete elements 1 are arranged correctly relative the center element 2, the lifting bolts 3 are removed. Thereafter a plurality of weights 7 are lifted up from a vessel (not shown) and one or more weights 7 is/are arranged on each concrete element 1, on the tapered part of the concrete element 1 and near the center element 2.The weights 7 will be fixed to the concrete elements 1 in appropriate ways.The center element 2 and the tapered part of the concrete elements 1 will, due to the load from the weights 7, be lowered below the water surface W, while an opposite end of the concrete elements 1 will be elevated above the water surface W. The movement of the center element 2 and the tapered part of the concrete elements 1 through the water surface W will also cause the concrete elements 1 to be compressed.The load of the weights 7 may be increased until a desired angle with a horizontal plane is obtained and the concrete elements 1 are compressed together over their entire length. Securing means 9 is/are thereafter used to tighten the concrete elements 1 together further, where the securing means 9, prior to the tightening, are guided through prearranged channels 25 and/or grooves 26 provided in each concrete element 1. However, the prearranged channels 25 and/or grooves 26 may also be provided in or on a beam connected to the concrete element 1.The securing means 9 may be one or more steel wire(s), steel cable(s) or rope(s). Figures 6, 14 and 21 show securing means 9 are arranged through the prearranged channels 25 and/or grooves 26 of the plurality of concrete elements 1.When the concrete elements 1 are drawn tight together through the securing means 9, a waterproof tarpaulin 11 is arranged on a lower side of the plurality of concrete elements 1 and the at least one center element 2, when such at least one center element 2 is present, where an outer circumference of the waterproof tarpaulin 11 may, in appropriate ways, for instance, be connected to an upper side of an outer edge of each concrete element 1.The weights 7 are removed and thereafter one or more pumps (not shown) is/are used to pump out water remaining on an inside of the concrete construction C. Each concrete element 1 is provided with one or more reinforcement elements 14, where a part of the reinforcement element(s) 14 may be cast within the concrete element and a part of the reinforcement element 14 may extend a distance out from each side of the concrete element 1, see also figure 13. The reinforcement elements 14 may further be arranged along a longitudinal length of the concrete element 1, at a distance from each other.When the concrete elements 1 are pulled together and in contact or abutment with each other, during the assembling of the concrete construction C, two neighboring or adjacent concrete elements 1 are connected and fixed relative each other through the one or more reinforcements elements 14, where the reinforcement elements 14 are connected or welded together in order to provide a continuous construction. The one or more reinforcement elements 14 may be reinforcement bar(s) or rod(s) or the like.As can be seen from figure 13, each concrete element 1 is provided with one or more grinded sides 15, where the grinded side(s) 15, when the plurality of concrete elements 1 are pulled into contact with each other, will form a recess 16 or notch between two adjacent concrete elements 1, where the recess 16 or notch is to be filled with fresh concrete, see also figure 15.The one or more reinforcement elements 14 of each concrete element 1 is/are connected or welded together with the one or more reinforcement elements 14 in the neighboring or adjacent concrete elements 1 and sealed with fresh concrete 28. Figures 14 and 15 show, from above and a side view, how tree adjacent concrete elements 1 are arranged and thereafter firstly connected to each other through the reinforcement elements 14, whereafter fresh concrete 28 is poured down into the recesses 16 or notches provided by the grinded side(s) 15 when two adjacent concrete elements 1 are brought into contact with each other.Figure 16 shows a finished concrete construction C according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where the recesses 16 or notches provided by the grinded sides 15 and a hollow H provided between the plurality of concrete elements 1 and the center element 2, are filled with fresh concrete 28, in order to provide a smooth or flush inner surface in the concrete construction C.The hollow H is provided between the concrete elements 1 and the center element 2, when the concrete elements 1 and center element 2 are brought into contact with each other, see also figure 7.It can also be envisaged that an entire surface of the concrete elements 1 could be covered by a layer of fresh concrete 28.Figure 17 shows an outer edge of a concrete element 1, where it can be seen that the concrete element 1 in this embodiment is provided with three prearranged channels 25, where the prearranged channels 25 are used to guide the securing means 9 through each concrete element 1, and where the securing means 9 in form of steel wire(s), steel cable(s), ropes or the like, when arranged through all concrete elements 1, are used to “tighten” the concrete elements 1 together. When the concrete elements 1 are tightened together, the concrete elements 1 are further connected to each other through the reinforcement elements 14, and then fresh concrete 28 is poured into the recesses 16 or notches.Figures 18 and 19 show the concrete element 1 according to figure 17 in greater detail, where it can be seen that the prearranged channels 25 are throughgoing the concrete element 1, i.e. extending through the concrete element 1, in a transversal direction of the concrete element 1.It could also be envisaged that the concrete element 1, although not shown in figure, may be provided with additional prearranged channels 25 along a longitudinal length of the concrete element, where such additional prearranged channels 25 then could be arranged, for instance, at a middle of the concrete element 1 and/or towards an end of the concrete element 1 that faces the center element 2.Furthermore, it could also be envisaged that the concrete element 1, in addition to the prearranged channels 25 could be provided with prearranged grooves 26 on an outer surface of the concrete element 1, or instead of the prearranged channels 25, where an outer surface of the concrete element 1 is the surface facing the surrounding water surface W when the concrete elements 1 and the center element 2 are arranged as shown in figure 4.Figure 20 shows an alternative embodiment of the concrete element 1 according to figure 17, where the prearranged channels 25 are provided in that a beam 29 or the like is, in appropriate ways, connected to the concrete element 1, where the beam 29 or the like is provided with one or more channels 25 for the securing means 9 in form of steel wire(s), steel cable(s), ropes or the like. When the securing means 9 are arranged through the channels 25 provided in each concrete element 1, the securing means 9 are used as described above to tighten the concrete elements 1 together.Figure 21 shows another embodiment of the modular concrete construction C and the method for constructing the same, where the concrete construction C is this embodiment comprises a plurality of concrete elements 1.Each concrete element 1 has a buoyancy that will allow the concrete element 1 to float substantially horizontally in water. Each concrete element 1 may then be made with a cavity 13, where the cavity 13 may be filled with air, gas or foam that will make the concrete elements 1 sufficient light to be able to float.However, it could be envisaged that floating bodies (not shown) in appropriate ways may be attached or connected to each concrete element 1 so that the concrete elements 1 could float. In such an embodiment the concrete elements 1 could be made as solid elements, i.e. without a cavity 13.When the method for construction of a concrete construction is used to build a new concrete construction C, according to this embodiment, a plurality of floating concrete elements 1 are loaded onto a vessel or truck (not shown), whereafter the vessel or truck is used to transport the concrete elements 1 to a construction site, where the construction site in this exemplary embodiment is located offshore.However, it should be understood that the concrete construction according to the present invention could be constructed in a river, a pond, a lake or the like.When the vessel (not shown) or truck (not shown) transporting the different elements of the concrete construction C has arrived at the construction site offshore, the plurality of concrete elements 1 are unloaded from the vessel and into the water, the concrete elements will float, whereafter the plurality of concrete elements 1 are arranged around an imaginary center. In this exemplary embodiment the concrete construction C is a circular concrete construction, whereby the concrete elements 1 have a tapering form over a length of the concrete element 1.When the plurality of concrete elements 1 are arranged around the imaginary center, the tapering part of the concrete element 1 will face towards the imaginary center. When the concrete elements 1 are arranged correctly relative the imaginary center, the lifting bolts 3 are removed. Thereafter a plurality of weights 7 are lifted up from a vessel (not shown) and one or more weights 7 is/are arranged on each concrete element 1, on the tapered part of the concrete element 1 and near the center element 2.The weights 7 will be fixed to the concrete elements 1 in appropriate ways.The center element 2 and the tapered part of the concrete elements 1 will, due to the load from the weights 7, be lowered below the water surface W, while an opposite end of the concrete elements 1 will be elevated above the water surface W. The movement of the tapered part of the concrete elements 1 through the water surface will also cause the concrete elements 1 to be compressed.The load of the weights 7 may be increased until a desired angle with a horizontal plane is obtained and the concrete elements 1 are compressed together over their entire length. Securing means 9 is/are thereafter used to tighten the concrete elements 1 together further, where the securing means, prior to the tightening, are guided through prearranged channels and/or grooves provided in each concrete element 1.However, the prearranged channels and/or grooves may also be provided in or on a beam connected to the concrete element 1.The securing means 9 may be one or more steel wire(s), steel cable(s) or rope(s). When the concrete elements 1 are drawn tight together through the securing means 9, a waterproof tarpaulin 11 is arranged on a lower side of the plurality of concrete elements 1, where an outer circumference of the waterproof tarpaulin 11 may, in appropriate ways, for instance, be connected to an upper side of an outer edge of each concrete element 1.The weights 7 are removed and thereafter one or more pumps (not shown) is/are used to pump out water remaining on an inside of the concrete construction C. Each concrete element 1 is provided with one or more reinforcement elements 14, where a part of the reinforcement element(s) 14 may be cast within the concrete element and a part of the reinforcement element 14 may extend a distance out from each side of the concrete element 1, see also figure 13. The reinforcement elements 14 may further also be arranged along a longitudinal length of the concrete element 1, at a distance from each other.When the concrete elements 1 are pulled together and in contact or abutment with each other, during the assembling of the concrete construction, two neighboring or adjacent concrete elements 1 are connected and fixed relative each other through the one or more reinforcements elements, where the reinforcement elements are connected or welded together in order to provide a continuous construction.The one or more reinforcement elements 14 may be reinforcement bar(s) or rod(s) or the like.As can be seen from figure 13, each concrete element 1 is provided with one or more grinded sides 15, where the grinded side(s) 15, when the plurality of concrete elements 1 are pulled into contact with each other, will form a recess 16 or notch between two adjacent concrete elements 1, where the recess 16 or notch is to be filled with fresh concrete, see also figure 15.The one or more reinforcement elements 14 of each concrete element 1 is/are connected or welded together with the one or more reinforcement elements 14 in the neighboring or adjacent concrete elements 1 and sealed with fresh concrete.The invention has now been explained with several non-limiting exemplary embodiments. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of variations and modifications may be made to the method for construction of a concrete construction and a concrete construction as described within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A method for construction of a concrete construction (C), characterized in that the method comprising the following steps:-transporting a plurality of concrete elements (1) to a construction site, -arranging the plurality of concrete elements (1) around an imaginary center in the body of water,- bringing the plurality of concrete elements (1) towards the imaginary center,-fastening each concrete element (1) to a connection point (5) through connection means (4),-arranging one or more weights (7) on each concrete element (1), near an end of the concrete element (1) facing towards the imaginary center, -connecting the plurality of concrete elements (1) together through securing means (9) arranged around a periphery of the of the concrete construction (C),-fixating two adjacent concrete elements (1) together through one or more reinforcement elements (14), and-filling a recess provided between two adjacent concrete elements (1) with concrete,forming the concrete construction (C).2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method comprises the step of, after the step of arranging the concrete elements (1) around a center element (2), with a tapered part of the concrete element (1) facing the center element (2), lifting each concrete element (1) into contact with the center element (2) through a lifting device.3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method comprises the step of using a connection and fastening arrangement (6) to adjust a length of the connection means (4).4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method comprises the step of removing lifting devices (3) arranged on each concrete element 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the step of fixating one or more weights (7) to a dedicated concrete element (1).6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the step of, through the one or more weights (7), lowering the center element (2) and the tapered part of the plurality of concrete elements (1) below a water surface (S), and elevating an opposite side of the plurality of concrete elements (1) above the water surface (S).7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the step of leading the securing means (9) through prearranged channels (25) and/or precast grooves (26) in each concrete element (1).8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the step of arranging a waterproof tarpaulin (11) on a lower side of the plurality of concrete elements (1) and the center element (2) and fastening a circumference of the waterproof tarpaulin (11) to an upper side of an outer edge of each concrete element (1).9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of removing the weights (7) and pumping out water inside the construction.10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the step additionally removing the waterproof tarpaulin (11).11. A concrete construction (C) according to any of the preceding claims 1-10, the concrete construction (C) comprising a plurality of concrete elements (1), characterized in that the plurality of concrete elements (1) being arranged around an imaginary center in the body of water (W), two adjacent concrete elements (1) being connected to each other through connection means (4) and fixated to each other through one or more reinforcement elements (14), the plurality of concrete elements (1) further being connected through securing means (9).12. Concrete construction (C) according to claim 11, characterized in that the concrete construction (C) further comprises a center element (2).13. Concrete construction according to claim 11, characterized in that each concrete element (1) comprises a closed or open cavity (13).14. Concrete construction according to claim 11 or 13, characterized in that each concrete element (1) has a triangular form, a square-shaped form, a rectangular form or a polygonal form.15. Concrete construction according to any preceding claims 11-13, characterized in that each concrete element (1) is provided with a number of prearranged channels (25) and/or grooves (26).
Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classesA01K 61/60A01K 63/00E04H 7/18B63B 75/00CPC classesA01K 61/60A01K 63/00Y02A 40/81E04H 7/18B63B 75/00

Citations

RU 2410873 C1 (C1)WO 2018/212666 A1 (A1)WO 2016/039632 A1 (A1)NO 20160682 A1 (A1)CN 211775027 U (U)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Applicants
Solinova AS
Asker Terrasse 28 1384 ASKER NO (ASKER Municipality, Akershus county)Org. number: 990012849
Vitamar AS
Riplegården 40 5161 LAKSEVÅG NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)Org. number: 988697672Inventors
Knut Solberg
Asker Terrasse 28 1384 ASKER NO (ASKER Municipality, Akershus county)
Bjørn Myrseth
Riplegården 40 5161 LAKSEVÅG NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)

Agent

ONSAGERS AS
ONSAGERS AS

Org. number: 934603729

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Open in The Brønnøysund Register Centre
Postboks 1813, Vika 0123 OSLO NO (OSLO Municipality, Oslo county)
Org. number: 934603729
Reference: P28042NO00

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