COFFERDAM

Cofferdam

A cofferdam is a temporary enclosure built within, or in pairs across, a body of water and constructed to allow the enclosed area to be pumped out, creating a dry work environment for the major work to proceed. Enclosed coffers are commonly used for construction and repair of oil platforms, bridge piers and other support structures built within or over water. These cofferdams are usually welded steel structures, with components consisting of sheet piles, wales, and cross braces. Such structures are typically dismantled after the ultimate work is completed.

The above text is a snippet from Wikipedia: Cofferdam
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

cofferdam

Noun

  1. A temporary watertight structure that is pumped dry to enclose an area underwater and allow construction work on a ship, bridge, or rig to be carried out; a caisson.
  2. An empty space that acts as a protective barrier between two floors or bulkheads on a ship.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: cofferdam
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

Need help with a clue?
Try your search in the crossword dictionary!