cofferdam

[kaw-fer-dam, kof-er-] /ˈkɔ fərˌdæm, ˈkɒf ər-/
noun
1.
a watertight enclosure placed or constructed in waterlogged soil or under water and pumped dry so that construction or repairs can proceed under normal conditions.
2.
Nautical. a sealed void between two bulkheads, as for insulation or as an extra barrier to the escape of liquids or vapors.
Origin
1730-40; coffer + dam1
Examples from the web for cofferdam
  • Sheet piles pulled from south cofferdam are loaded onto barge.
  • The lowest contour line for each was the elevation of the top of the cofferdam.
  • Workers then go inside the cofferdam to prepare and construct the foundation.
  • The addition of impact attenuators, barriers or cofferdam type fender systems to redirect or lessen impact damage.
  • The specified fill material will be the same as that used for the cofferdam.
  • Construction of the guard rails and cofferdam ran concurrently.
  • It is often necessary to dewater from within a cofferdam to obtain a dry work area.
  • Once the pit is completely backfilled, the sheet-piling cofferdam will be removed.
  • Work is performed within a steel sheet piling cofferdam.
  • Driven sheet piles are used for shoring and cofferdam construction.
British Dictionary definitions for cofferdam

cofferdam

/ˈkɒfəˌdæm/
noun
1.
a watertight structure, usually of sheet piling, that encloses an area under water, pumped dry to enable construction work to be carried out. Below a certain depth a caisson is required
2.
(on a ship) a compartment separating two bulkheads or floors, as for insulation or to serve as a barrier against the escape of gas or oil
Often shortened to coffer