Improving the breakwater design process by using a design automation tool

In the current breakwater design process, not all feasible concepts can be explored due to time constraints. However, designers are also influenced by breakwaters constructed near, or at the same location as their breakwater project. But also conservative assumptions influence the breakwater design process, for instance, regarding the wave...

Effect of irregularities in the under layer on the stability of Xbloc^Plus concrete armour unit

The Xbloc^Plus is a new type of single layer armour unit for breakwaters. The key difference between earlier single layer armour units is that the unit is not only placed in a regular grid, but also with a regular orientation. The main benefit of this is that it can directly be seen whether the unit is placed correctly. Additionally,...

Exploration into the mechanisms that govern the stability of an Xbloc^{+ v1} armour unit

In this MSc thesis it is investigated how the first version of concrete armour unit Xbloc⁺, Xbloc^{+ v1}, acquires its stability. The stability mechanisms are investigated by conducting two type of physical model tests. First, 23 dry pull-out tests are done to obtain insights into the aspects and mechanisms that influence the...

Rocking Revisited 1: Rocking of a Singe Cube on a Breakwater Slope

Prototype single layer armour units on a breakwater slope are observed to break. To predict when breakage occurs, the objective of this research project is to obtain knowledge on, and measurements of the rocking behaviour and failure mode of single layer armour units. A single cube on a breakwater slope is subjected to investigations. An...

A generic quantitative damage description for rubble mound structures: Investigation of damage to roundheads by using a 3D high-resolution measurement technique in a physical model

Breakwaters are used for reducing wave height in harbours or divert sediment. One of the types of breakwaters is the rubble mound breakwater. These structures are constructed with smaller quarry rock as core and larger quarry rock as outer layer. For economical reasons, the design allows some damage to the armour layer. The amount of damage is...