APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MAKING AN UNDERWATER CONNECTION BETWEEN A STRUCTURAL MEMBER AND A SUPPORTING PILE

摘要

This invention provides an apparatus and method for making underwater connections between structural members and a plurality of supporting piles. The piles are driven to elevations equal to or below design elevation. A spacer is mounted on the top of any pile that is below design elevation to distribute the load of a structural member among the piles and to support the member at design elevation. Hollow form members having openings are mounted on the underside of the structural member so that the piles will extend into the openings when the structural member is lowered onto the piles. The openings in the form members are sufficiently large to accommodate substantial horizontal displacement of the upper end of the pile thereby allowing the piles to be driven to less stringent tolerance. The space in each opening between each form member and each pile is filled with cement to connect the structural member to the piles.