FCC Construcción has participated in the 18th Conference for Young Professionals of the ATPYC (Technical Association of Ports and Coasts), held in the Port of Malaga.

Alvaro de Toro and Nuria Cotallo, from FCC Construction Technical Services, presented the R&D project “SAFE”- Development of an autonomous system for the foundation of structures for maritime works. The project was developed in consortium with the IH Cantabria and the University of Cantabria.

Both presented the design and optimization tool created, increasing its potential during the construction phase and allowing the probability of success of the maneuver to be determined from the early stages of project development, as well as the operating thresholds.

The system integrates a set of numerical models that allow the caisson behavior to be determined throughout the anchoring maneuver, taking into account the second-order wave excitation forces, the interaction with the seabed and with other caissons, as well as the winch dynamics. These models have been coupled within a numerical simulator that also houses the box's dynamic positioning control system.

The application of automated anchoring compared to conventional methods provides greater certainty and precision in the sinking of caissons, which will mean better efficiency and increased safety standards for the manoeuvre.