Cofferdams
and Flood Protection
The cost-effective and environmental choice
Water-filled bladders are a highly cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for creating cofferdams in slow-moving water conditions or diverting water in rivers or streams.
Their minimal environmental footprint from the absence of excavation or disturbance of the natural soil makes water-filled bladders an ideal choice for cofferdams in shallow water applications up to 1.5 metres deep.
The advantages of using water-filled bladder cofferdams make them a valuable choice in construction and engineering projects.
Cost-Effectiveness: Water-filled bladder cofferdams offer cost advantages over sheet piles. Their installation and removal are faster, requiring less labour and machinery. Additionally, they are reused multiple times, reducing the need for new materials in subsequent projects.
Quick Installation and Removal: Bladder cofferdams are rapidly deployed and filled with water, significantly reducing installation time compared to the driving of sheet piles. Likewise, they are emptied quickly, allowing for swift removal. This speed and ease of installation and removal save valuable time in construction projects.
Minimal Environmental Impact: Water-filled bladder cofferdams have a minimal environmental impact. Unlike sheet piles that involve driving into the ground, they do not disturb the soil or require extensive excavation. This makes them an eco-friendly option, particularly in sensitive environments or areas with protected aquatic ecosystems.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Water-filled bladder cofferdams are easily shaped to fit the specific contour of the area where they are deployed. They conform to irregular shapes, making them suitable for various terrains and challenging construction sites.
Improved Safety: Bladder cofferdams eliminate the risk of accidents associated with pile driving machinery and vibrations. The absence of heavy machinery during installation and removal enhances worker safety and reduces noise pollution.
Enhanced Scalability: Bladder cofferdams can be interconnected to form larger enclosures, adapting to projects of various sizes. They are also suitable for temporary water storage or diversion applications, providing additional versatility beyond traditional cofferdam use.
Standard Sizes
Waterfilled bladders used to create cofferdams can be fabricated to almost any size. As part of our Flood Shield brand, we designed three standard sizes, most often ordered from our customers.
FS 700
Water Depth: 70cm
Inflated Height: 92cm
Inflated Width: 2.14m
Length: 7m
Suggested Overlap: 1m
FS 900
Water Depth: 90cm
Inflated Height: 1.22m
Inflated Width: 2.75m
Length: 7m
Suggested Overlap: 1.5m
FS 1200
Water Depth: 1.2 metres
Inflated Height: 1.5m
Inflated Width: 3.4m
Length: 10m
Suggested Overlap: 2.4m
Custom Sizes
Inflatable bladders are available in custom sizes to accommodate your unique needs.
Overlapping
Units are joined together by an overlapping technique. The units can be joined end to end or at any angle.
Filling and Draining
Filling Port: 75mm (3”) camlock
Draining Port: 100mm diameter threaded nipple with cap.
Typical Cofferdam Configuration
Flood Protection
Water-filled bladders are invaluable for flood protection as flexible barriers that effectively divert and contain excess water during emergencies.
Their adaptability to various terrains and scalability make them a crucial asset in safeguarding communities. It’s important to note that our products are custom designed for each project’s unique requirements.
Please be advised that a delivery time of six weeks is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Water-filled cofferdams are faster to install, require less heavy machinery, and are more cost-effective than traditional sheet piling. They also offer a significant environmental advantage, as they do not disturb the riverbed and are completely removed after use.
The cofferdams can effectively be used to dam creeks and rivers to depths of up to 1.2 metres. Giant Inflatables Industrial engineers each custom cofferdam to safely handle the specific water depths and flow rates of the project site.
The empty cofferdam is first positioned in the watercourse. On-site water is then pumped into the internal bladders to anchor it firmly in place. For removal, the water is simply pumped out, and the lightweight dam is retrieved from the water.
The flexible design of the cofferdam allows it to conform to the natural contours of the ground or riverbed.
The cofferdams are ideal for temporary applications like bridge repair, pipeline installation, and construction. Their suitability for long-term projects is determined by the specific site conditions and project requirements established during the client consultation process.
The cofferdams are built from durable materials and designed for reuse. Proper maintenance involves cleaning and inspecting the dam for damage after each use. Once dry, they can be folded or rolled for compact and efficient storage.
With 25 years of multi-sectoral experience, Giant Inflatables Industrial has case studies that demonstrate the successful use of its cofferdams in various infrastructure, construction, and environmental projects, highlighting their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
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