Delta Marine Consultants and CSIR Coastal & Hydraulic Laboratory have started extensive research on the repair of Dolos breakwaters using Xbloc® armour units
23 august 2007
In the past Core-loc® armour units have been used for the repair of Dolos breakwaters due to their similar shape. However, the 6 interlocking sides of the Xbloc® (compared to 4 of the Core-loc®) may lead to better and easier interlocking and higher stability.
The first 2D hydraulic model tests were carried out at the laboratory in South Africa. During these tests the hydraulic stability of the transition between the Xblocs and the Dolosse was tested. The Xbloc units interlocked comfortably between the Dolos flukes (as seen in the image) and the transition proved to be very stable.
More studies such as placement tests and 2D and 3D hydraulic model tests will be carried out during the coming months.
For more information please contact Arnoud van den Berge from DMC, email: a.vanden.berge@dmc.nl or Kishan Tulsi from CSIR, email: ktulsi@csir.co.za
Please note that Xbloc® is a registered trademark of Delta Marine Consultants and Core-Loc© is a registered trademark of the U.S. Government