Assessment of the Technical and Operational Performance of Daryapay Open-End Caisson System in Marine Structure Construction: A Case Study of the Qeshm Oil Jetty

The use of open-bottom caissons is recognized as one of the established methods for the construction of marine structures, including wharves, breakwaters, seawalls, and offshore structures. The Daryapay open-bottom caisson system, developed in Iran, is an approach based on the integration of open-bottom caissons and intermediate walls, developed with the aim of reducing marine operations, facilitating construction, and enhancing structural durability. This system can be applied in the construction of seawalls, breakwaters, wharves, platforms, dolphins, and other marine structures. In 1990, Daryapay Company designed and constructed the Qeshm Oil jetty using this caisson system through innovative engineering solutions. After more than three decades of operation, the jetty remains active and operational, which may indicate the applicability and durability of this construction approach under marine service conditions.

In this paper, the experience of designing and implementing this system in marine projects is investigated. The findings obtained from reviewing design documents, construction records, and operational history indicate that the application of this system, particularly in projects with construction time constraints, environmental considerations, and requirements for enhanced structural durability, may be considered as a viable option. In addition, characteristics such as off-site fabrication of major components, reduced marine construction activities, and flexibility in structural configuration are considered among the notable capabilities of this method.