AGE OLD RECLAMATION ENCLOSURE AT COCHIN

The subsoil at Cochin consists of very soft marine clay and is amenable to large settlements under load. A traditional method of construction of a wall to serve as reclamation enclosure has stood the test of time. A facine mattress made of cashew twigs is sunk to the bed by loading with rubble stones brought in country canoes. Further stones are dumped upto low water level and then dry packing is done to form the head structure. This wall is highly flexible and can accommodate both vertical and lateral movements without distress. This method of economical construction of reclamation enclosure is widely used in this area.

Keywords:

reclamation wall , facine mattress , trunk structure , head structure , bamboo mat , mat sinking , dumping