Xbloc armor units: Development and application of concrete blocks as armor units

 Xbloc is an innovative single layer concrete armour unit. Concrete armour units are used for the outer layer of breakwaters and shore protections, which also called ‘armor layer’. This layer fulfils two distinct functions: Firstly, the layer absorbs wave energy and reduces wave overtopping, reflection and run-up. Secondly, it protects the finer materials in the inner layer from washing out. Conventional armour layers consist of rocks placed in two layers which are stable by their weight alone. However under severe environmental circumstances such as a breakwater in deep water on an exposed ocean shore, the required rock size would get so big that it is virtually impossible to realize. For this reason, the Xbloc has been developed to respond to these more demanding conditions. This article outlines both the manufacturing process and several applications of this element.

206 downloads

xbloc_armor_units_bft_international_12_2008.pdf