A temporary cofferdam is erected to separate water from a work site to create a more safe working environment. It is installed to permit damming, diversion, and/or dewatering to allow for construction in a dry area. The dam should have walls of an appropriate height to prevent water from entering the site.
From prehistoric beaver dams to modern cofferdams, temporary water barriers have provided the means to contain waterways and thereby control their flow and direction. A temporary cofferdam is a modern implementation of a water barrier.
Today’s temporary water barriers are primarily used to hold back flood waters or to provide a dry environment for construction projects. Examples of temporary water barriers are cofferdams, sandbags, and earthen berms but there are also permanent water barriers that include dams, levees, and seawalls.
Importance of the Temporary Cofferdam
A temporary cofferdam is a pre-fabricated water-filled dam that is taken to the site to prevent flood damages. Flooding can pose damage to a wide range of properties and a cofferdam can play a significant role in preventing future damages.
The installation of a temporary cofferdam requires only the surface to place the dam. Unlike the traditional water diversion techniques, cofferdams are not labor intensive; there is nothing bulky to transport to your work site, there’s just the pre-fabricated dam.
The importance of the temporary cofferdam should not be underestimated because a multi-billion dollar project can be halted as a result of exceeding waters and a home of incomparable value can suffer massive damages, should it be bombarded by rising water. To avoid or prevent this, a flood barrier can help divert water away from the area.
Dam-It Dams Cofferdams
Dam-It Dams portable temporary cofferdams don’t require construction before use. They are pre-fabricated tubes made of a durable geo-textile material. The cofferdams use on-site water to fill dual inner tubes, allowing the dam to inflate evenly and unroll to form a strong barrier. They are available for height of 1′ to 12′, widths of 2′ to 23′ and unlimited lengths, as they are connectable.
Benefits of the Dam-It-Dams Cofferdam
Working over water is very expensive and challenging, if not impossible. The following are some advantages of the temporary dams.
- Provides a safe working environment
- Allows excavation and building of structures in poor environments
- It is reusable and portable
- Expandable to suit varying sizes
- Does not require the use of specialized equipment for deployment
- Minimal labor required
- Leave a small footprint on the environment unlike other cofferdams
- Easy installation and removal
Application of Temporary Dams
- Transport Engineering: It can be used for the construction of support walls, ground water retention, bridge pier, tunnel work and ramps.
- Civil Engineering: Cofferdams can be to assist in the construction of foundations, basements and underground car parking.
- Port Construction: Used in docks and jetty works.
- Water Engineering: Suitable in construction of culverts, weirs scour and flood protection walls and securing embankment construction.
Why Our Cofferdams Are Preferred By Contractors
A Dam-It Dams’ Cofferdam provides a temporary barrier at a project site.
There are two primary reasons our cofferdams are preferred by contractors worldwide:
- Our cofferdams work with Mother Nature and not against her. Therefore, they create effective water barriers that leave little-to-no detrimental footprint on the environment.
- Our cofferdams are industrial strength and reusable. And as a result, our temporary dams minimize additional investment costs.
Finally, our cofferdams are immediately available in a wide range of sizes to accommodate virtually every project manager’s needs. Contact us today for more information and a free quote. Or go to our Home Page.