Shimizu Construction Co., Ltd.

Akio Himeji

Yasuo Kajioka

Tadahiko Okumura

An improved method and apparatus for placing concrete under water in an easy and effectual manner. The method comprises the steps of: immersing a tremie tube having a special valve device, into water; transferring concrete through the tremie tube; closing the valve device while the outlet of the tremie tube is kept within the deposited concrete; and lifting the tremie tube to move it to another point. The above valve device is provided with a cylindrical elastic valve member fitted in a cylindrical member forming a space to receive a fluid under pressure and, when the fluid space is supplied with a pressurized fluid, the elastic valve member is folded and expanded in inward radial directions to close up the concrete passage of the tremie tube. Another aspect of the invention is to propose the measurement of the state of deposited concrete by means of a concrete surface detecting device.

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Machida, Japan

Akio Himeji