PART FIVE - CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGY 
by M. J. Wolfe 
CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURES 
As with most other facets of MOBS, a detailed analysis of construction 
procedures will require a specific, well-defined example platform. Be- 
cause of the varying configurations of the three basic types of platforms, 
no one technique, procedure, or solution can be suitably applied to all 
of the platforms under consideration without some changes. Similar 
remarks apply to the choice of construction sites. It is important to 
note, however, that enough descriptive detail exists to make general, 
yet valid, conclusions on the overall suitability of utilizing conven- 
tional concrete construction practices for fabricating a particular type 
of MOBS platform. 
The construction and subsequent assembly procedures can be conven- 
iently divided into three distinctive categories based on platform type: 
1. Elevated -- Launch deck fully assembled as a module; 
add and connect buoyant support columns 
at sea; deballast. 
2. Semi-Submersible -- Launch buoyant elements fully assembled 
as a module; add and secure deck elements 
at sea; adjust ballast. 
3. Barge -- Launch fully assembled platform; or launch 
buoyant elements fully assembled as modules 
as for the semi-submersible, adding deck 
at sea. 
Various techniques and/or possible options applicable to the above 
schemes for fabrication and assembly are discussed in the following 
sections. 
Location of Construction 
Dike and Polder. Figure 5.1 illustrates a type of construction 
site for large floating structures which has been successfully used in the 
past. A large pit (polder) is excavated behind a dike or, perhaps, a 
dredge can excavate enough material to form a dike. The units are 
constructed on the polder using conventional construction techniques 
and equipment. After the units are completed the polder can be flooded 
and part of the dike dredged away. The unit can then be floated out and 
towed to the site of operations. 
