kofferdikes
Kofferdikes are temporary watertight enclosures constructed within a body of water to create a dry or near-dry workspace for the construction, repair, or inspection of submerged structures. The term is used in Dutch civil engineering and in English-language guidance to describe the function rather than a single fixed design.
They are formed by driving or assembling barriers such as sheet piles, timber cribs, concrete cofferdams, or
Typical uses include bridge and quay construction, underwater repairs, dredging support, and inspection of submerged structures.
Safety, environmental and engineering considerations include maintaining barrier integrity to prevent uncontrolled inflow, monitoring seepage and
See also: cofferdam, dewatering, caisson, underwater construction.