In-Situ Ship Lock Expansion Using Flood Gate Cofferdam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ship lock reconstruction and expansion methods require large-scale land acquisition and significant capital expenditure due to topographic limitations, often necessitating the construction of a second-line ship lock, which disrupts riverside traffic and increases project costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a flood gate as a water-retaining cofferdam to construct a new ship lock downstream, with additional water-retaining and seepage control lines, and a cutoff buttress to expand the existing ship lock in situ, utilizing existing structures and minimizing land acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a second-line ship lock is constructed beside the existing ship lock, then the shipping capacity is improved, but the land acquisition area increases significantly and capital expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by constructing the new ship lock within the existing ship lock's spatial envelope. The new lock chamber is built inside the original lock structure, utilizing the existing walls and foundation, thereby increasing shipping capacity without requiring additional external land acquisition area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal expansion approach to a vertical/three-dimensional approach. By building the new lock chamber within the existing structural envelope and utilizing the full height of the existing lock, the solution expands capacity in the vertical dimension rather than requiring additional horizontal land area.
2Productivity
If a second-line ship lock is constructed beside the existing ship lock, then the shipping capacity is improved, but the project investment increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by demolishing the existing ship lock structure and recovering its materials and foundation for the new construction. The existing foundation, walls, and structural elements are stripped, cleaned, and reused as the basis for the new lock chamber, significantly reducing the quantity of new materials required and thus lowering capital expenditure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing the new lock chamber to serve multiple functions: it provides increased shipping capacity, utilizes the existing structural envelope, and incorporates the full height of the original lock for optimized water level management. This multi-functional design reduces overall project costs while achieving the shipping capacity improvement.
3Productivity
If a second-line ship lock is constructed beside the existing ship lock, then the shipping capacity is improved, but riverside traffic management is seriously affected during construction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the segmentation principle by dividing the construction process into distinct phases: first constructing the new lock chamber structure, then demolishing the old lock, and finally connecting the new chamber to the existing navigation system. This segmentation allows the new lock to be built independently without disrupting ongoing riverside traffic operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the preliminary action principle by constructing the new lock chamber and its structural envelope before demolishing the existing ship lock. This preliminary construction creates a ready-to-operate new lock structure that can immediately take over shipping functions once the old lock is removed, minimizing disruption to riverside traffic management.
4Area of stationary object
If the existing ship lock is reconstructed in situ, then land acquisition area is reduced, but topographic restrictions make it difficult to arrange the construction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inversion principle by reversing the conventional construction sequence. Instead of building a new lock and then connecting it to the existing structure, the method demolishes the existing lock first and then constructs the new lock chamber within the same spatial envelope, simplifying the construction arrangement despite topographic restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by adjusting the construction parameters to match the existing topographic conditions. The new lock chamber is designed to utilize the full height of the existing lock structure, and the construction method accommodates the specific topographic constraints of the site, making the in-situ reconstruction feasible despite the restrictions.
Data Source
AI summary
A construction method for reconstructing and expanding a ship lock in suit is provided. A flood gate in an upper lock head section of a constructed ship lock is used as a water-retaining cofferdam during a construction period. A remaining part of the constructed ship lock is cut off downstream from a target cutting surface located in a lock chamber section of the constructed ship lock, and a new ship lock is constructed downstream. A bank-side pier structure between the upper lock head section of the constructed ship lock and the new ship lock is cut to a first preset elevation, and two water-retaining and seepage control lines are added, and a cutoff buttress is constructed. An upper navigation wall section of the constructed ship lock and the upper lock head section of the constructed ship lock are reconstructed, and another water-retaining and seepage control line is added.