Underwater Constructions | How do Engineers Make Them?

Underwater Constructions | How do Engineers Make Them?
Quizzed ESL Activities

Underwater Construction Summary

Underwater construction involves building structures, such as bridge piers, beneath the water’s surface. To achieve this, a temporary dam called a cofferdam is built to remove water from the construction area.

Coffer Dam Construction

  • Guide piles are erected using a pile driving hammer machine.
  • Sheet piles with interlocking connections are driven into the soil to form the cofferdam.
  • The sheet piles are driven until they reach the bedrock to minimize water leakage.

Geotechnical Study and Water Pumping

  • A detailed geotechnical study is conducted to determine the soil’s strength and carrying capacity.
  • A cone penetration test is used to measure soil strength and determine the depth of the sheet piles.
  • Water is pumped out of the cofferdam, and a double-layered cofferdam is used to resist water leakage.

Bracing Frame and Concrete Seal Course

  • A bracing frame structure is erected to prevent the cofferdam from collapsing inward.
  • A concrete seal course is constructed to prevent water seepage and provide a strong footing.
  • The concrete seal course is bonded to the bedrock using hollow steel pipes and reinforcement bars.

Bridge Pier Construction

  • The skeleton of the bridge pier is constructed using high-quality reinforced bars.
  • Concrete is poured into the structure, and it is left to gain strength.
  • Once the bridge pier is complete, the cofferdam is removed, and the structure is ready to support a heavy bridge.


Term Definition Example Usage
Cofferdam A temporary enclosure built around a construction area to remove water and allow for dry work. “The cofferdam was built to enable the construction of the bridge pier in the river.”
Sheet Piles Interlocking steel sheets driven into the soil to form a barrier, such as a cofferdam. “The sheet piles were driven into the soil to a depth of 20 meters to form the cofferdam.”
Geotechnical Study An investigation of the soil and rock conditions at a site to determine their properties and behavior. “A detailed geotechnical study was conducted to determine the soil’s strength and carrying capacity for the bridge pier.”
Cone Penetration Test A test used to measure the strength and properties of soil by pushing a cone-shaped probe into the ground. “The cone penetration test revealed that the soil was unstable and required additional support.”
Bracing Frame A structural system used to support and stabilize a cofferdam or other enclosure. “The bracing frame was erected to prevent the cofferdam from collapsing inward due to water pressure.”
Concrete Seal Course A layer of concrete used to seal and protect a structure from water seepage and damage. “The concrete seal course was constructed to prevent water from entering the bridge pier and to provide a strong footing.”
Pile Driving Hammer Machine A machine used to drive piles, such as guide piles, into the soil to support a structure. “The pile driving hammer machine was used to erect the guide piles for the cofferdam.”
Reinforced Bars Steel bars used to reinforce concrete and provide additional strength to a structure. “High-quality reinforced bars were used to construct the skeleton of the bridge pier.”
Bedrock Solid, unbroken rock that forms the base of a soil or geological formation. “The sheet piles were driven until they reached the bedrock to minimize water leakage.”
Double-Layered Cofferdam A cofferdam with two layers of sheet piles, used to resist water leakage and provide additional support. “A double-layered cofferdam was used to construct the bridge pier in the river to prevent water leakage.”




Underwater Construction Vocabulary Quiz

Test your knowledge of underwater construction terms with this 5-question multiple-choice quiz.

1. What is a cofferdam in underwater construction?




2. What is the purpose of a cone penetration test?




3. What is the function of reinforcement bars in underwater construction?




4. What is a bracing frame structure used for in underwater construction?




5. What is the purpose of a concrete seal course in underwater construction?




Answer Key:

  1. b) A temporary dam to remove water from the construction area
  2. b) To measure soil strength and determine the depth of the sheet piles
  3. c) To construct the skeleton of the bridge pier
  4. b) To prevent the cofferdam from collapsing inward
  5. b) To prevent water seepage and provide a strong footing

Passive Voice and Modal Verbs in Underwater Construction


In the context of underwater construction, the passive voice is used to describe the process of building structures, such as bridge piers, beneath the water’s surface. The passive voice is formed using the verb “to be” and the past participle of the main verb. For example, “a temporary dam is built” or “the sheet piles are driven into the soil.” Modal verbs, such as “can” and “must,” are used to express necessity, ability, and permission. In underwater construction, modal verbs are used to describe the requirements and possibilities of the construction process, such as “the cofferdam must be built to remove water from the construction area” or “the sheet piles can be driven until they reach the bedrock.”

Quiz Time!

Choose the correct answer for each question:

  1. Underwater construction ____________________ to involve building structures, such as bridge piers, beneath the water’s surface.
    1. A) is going
    2. B) involves
    3. C) can involve
    4. D) must involve
  2. A cofferdam ____________________ to be built to remove water from the construction area.
    1. A) must
    2. B) can
    3. C) should
    4. D) may
  3. The sheet piles ____________________ until they reach the bedrock to minimize water leakage.
    1. A) are driven
    2. B) can be driven
    3. C) must be driven
    4. D) should be driven
  4. A detailed geotechnical study ____________________ to determine the soil’s strength and carrying capacity.
    1. A) is conducted
    2. B) can be conducted
    3. C) must be conducted
    4. D) should be conducted
  5. The bridge pier ____________________ using high-quality reinforced bars.
    1. A) is constructed
    2. B) can be constructed
    3. C) must be constructed
    4. D) should be constructed

Answer Key

  1. B) involves
  2. A) must
  3. A) are driven
  4. A) is conducted
  5. A) is constructed

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