2003 - Development of concrete breakwater armour units

Abstract

A large variety of concrete breakwater armour units has been developed in the past. Today design engineers have the choice between a number of completely different breakwater armour concepts. The most commonly applied types of armour units are presented and classified. The strong and weak points of the various concepts as well as possible applications are discussed. Demands for future improvements are specified with respect to hydraulic and structural stability, placement and casting. Finally a concept for an improved armour unit with a simple bulky shape and two different front faces is outlined, which is easy to cast and easy to place. This block shall be capable to find easily a stable position on the slope. The structural stability shall be similar to Accropodes in order to minimise therisk of breakage and subsequent progressive failure. The optimum interlocking capability has to be balanced between hydraulic stability and the ease of fabrication, placement and strength of the units.

Introduction

A large variety of concrete breakwater armour units has been developed in the past 50 years. Today design engineers have the choice between a number of completely different breakwater armour concepts. However, in many cases standard type solutions are applied and possible alternative concepts are not seriously considered. This paper is intended to give an overview of the different types of breakwater armour units that have been developed in the past decades. The strong and weak points of the various concepts will be highlighted and possible applications will be discussed. Finally the latest trends in breakwater armour unit developments will be analysed and demands for future improvements will be specified.

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