Foundation / Large-diameter shaft
Caisson
/ˈkeɪ.sɒn/noun
From French caisson, “large box” or “chest.”
Definition
A watertight chamber or large drilled shaft sunk into the ground or water and filled with concrete to form a deep foundation pier.
Fig. 46 — Caisson: schematic studyNOT TO SCALE
Illustrative study — Caisson · AI-generatedSAMPLE IMAGE
Photo study — Caisson · AI-generated00:06
Structural & construction notes
Caissons support heavy concentrated loads such as bridge piers and tower cores. Construction must manage groundwater, base cleaning, and inspection of the bearing stratum.
An educational reference. Project-specific design requires professional guidance.