A New Concrete Armor Unit for Breakwaters: The Beta Block

by Jos? Mar?a Berenguer, Hydraulic Research Dep, Madrid, Spain,
Vicente S. Naverac, Hydraulic Research Dep, Madrid, Spain,
Jos? Manuel de la Pe?a, Hydraulic Research Dep, Madrid, Spain,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Civil Engineering in the Oceans V

Abstract:

The aim of this paper, is to present a new artificial block for the protection of breakwaters. This armor unit, named BETA, has been designed and tested in the Coasts and Harbors Studies Center of the C.E.D.E.X. (M.O.P.T. Spain). The design of the BETA block, gives the armor layer great structural strength and a considerable energy absorption capacity, as a result of its high degree of permeability and surface roughness. A description is given of the hydraulic characteristics of the new piece, as found through research using a scale model in 2-D for the trunk sections and 3-D for the head section, and by way of conclusion, values are recommended for the calculation parameters (N_s-K_d). The main characteristics, for breakwater designs in which the BETA block is to be used, are also included. Furthermore, the paper contains various recommendations regarding the casting systems and ways of constructing with such pieces.

Subject Headings: Structural strength | Concrete blocks | Coastal protection structures | Breakwaters | Armor units | Absorption | Two-dimensional models | Spain | Europe

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