Caisson Sinking (Wet & Dry)
Caisson sinking wet & dry
We are a leading specialist contractor in shaft sinking, recognised for the safe and reliable delivery of segmentally lined shafts in some of the most complex and constrained environments. Our capability spans the design and construction of shafts from 2 m to 25 m internal diameter, across all ground conditions, supported by decades of hands-on experience, specialist labour and owned plant and equipment.
We deliver segmental caisson shafts using a range of proven methodologies, selected to suit ground conditions, groundwater regime, access constraints and asset sensitivity. These include jacked wet caissons, jacked dry caissons, and dry underpinned caissons, providing flexibility to manage risk and maintain control in challenging subsurface conditions. Each approach allows excavation and support to be progressed in a controlled manner, ensuring stability, alignment and structural integrity throughout sinking operations. Our teams are highly experienced in wet caisson sinking, where groundwater and soft or unstable strata require careful management of buoyancy, base stability and control of inflows. For dry conditions or where groundwater exclusion is achievable, dry jacked caissons provide an efficient and predictable solution. Where ground conditions allow, underpinned caisson techniques allow shafts to be formed safely with minimal movement and disturbance to surrounding assets.
Safety and sustainability are fundamental to our approach. We apply rigorous engineering controls, monitoring and sequencing to manage ground behaviour and asset interaction, while optimising materials and construction techniques to reduce waste and environmental impact. Concrete back-wrap options can be incorporated to enhance durability, watertightness and long-term performance where required. By combining specialist labour, bespoke and proprietary plant, and a deep understanding of ground and structural behaviour, we deliver robust, precise and resilient shaft solutions. Our shaft sinking capability underpins complex tunnelling, utility, marine and infrastructure projects, providing safe access, long-term performance and confidence in the most demanding conditions.
