Glass fiber-reinforced polymer caissons used for construction of mooring dolphins in Puerto del Rosario harbor (Fuerteventura, Canary Islands)

GFRP caisson technology was developed for construction of two mooring dolphins in Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura, Spain) in a more environmentally friendly way than traditional solutions. The construction technique marks a milestone in civil engineering because of its highly innovative nature that will significantly reduce time and complexity of construction operations. Glass fiber and gel-coated UV-protected epoxy resins were used to build a cylindrical structure of 12 m diameter and 13.3 m height, filled with granular aggregates and topped with a 2 m concrete slab, where mooring bollards were fixed. GFRP caissons were manufactured in a factory in Jerez (Spain), transported by ship to the Canary Islands, assembled on site and launched into the sea with a light crane. The construction and environmental advantages include: savings of 75% in CO2 emissions and 90% reduction in the need for construction surfaces. Economically, the GFRP caisson solution was competitive compared to the original project solution.