The Sewerage of Sea Coast Towns by Adams, Henry C., 1873-1952

To summarise the information upon this point, it appears that it is better to use fresh water for all purposes, but if, for the sake of economy, saline matters are introduced into the concrete, either by using sea water for mixing or by using sand and shingle from the beach, the principal effect will be to delay the time of setting to some extent, but the ultimate strength of the concrete will probably not be seriously affected. When the concrete is placed in position the portion most liable to be destroyed is that between high and low water mark, which is alternately exposed to the action of the sea and the air, but if the concrete has a well-graded aggregate, is densely mixed, and contains not more than two parts of sand to one part of cement, no ill-effect need be anticipated.

CHAPTER XII

DIVING.

The engineer is not directly concerned with the various methods employed in constructing a sea outfall, such matters being left to the discretion of the contractor. It may, however, be briefly stated that the work frequently involves the erection of temporary steel gantries, which must be very carefully designed and solidly built if they are to escape destruction by the heavy seas. It is amazing to observe the ease with which a rough sea will twist into most fantastic shapes steel joists 10 in by 8in, or even larger in size. Any extra cost incurred in strengthening the gantries is well repaid if it avoids damage, because otherwise there is not only the expense of rebuilding the structure to be faced, but the construction of the work will be delayed possibly into another season.

In order to ensure that the works below water are constructed in a substantial manner, it is absolutely necessary that the resident engineer, at least, should be able to don a diving dress and inspect the work personally. The particular points to which attention must be given include the proper laying of the pipes, so that the spigot of one is forced home into the socket of the other, the provision and tightening up of all the bolts required to be fixed, the proper driving of the piles and fixing the bracing, the dredging of a clear space in the bed of the sea in front of the outlet pipe, and other matters dependent upon the special form of construction adopted. If a plug is inserted in the open end of the pipes as laid, the rising of the tide will press on the plugged end and be of considerable assistance in pushing the pipes home; it will therefore be necessary to re-examine the joints to see if the bolts can be tightened up any more.