Pneumatic caisson (compressed-air foundations)
Cajón neumático (cimentación con aire comprimido)
- Date
- 1839 · confidence high
- Place
- Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Maine-et-Loire, France
- Credited to
- Jacques Triger
- Field
- Tools
What it is
Triger sank a mine shaft beneath the Loire riverbed using an iron cylinder filled with compressed air to hold back water and sand. The method allowed work below the water table and excavation of bridge-pier foundations in a sealed chamber.
Triger noted in 1841 the pain workers suffered on leaving. Diving-bell ideas precede it (Smeaton 1789; Cochrane 1830, air-lock patent).
What it led to
- foundations of piers in large rivers such as the Eads Bridge
- discovery of caisson disease
- tunnels beneath rivers using compressed air