Structural analysis of special concrete blocks used in the armor layers of breakwaters

The hydraulic stability of special concrete blocks used in the armor layers of shore protection structures is important for the breakwater design. The KD stability coefficient of a protective unit (rock or concrete block) is one of the most important design parameters in the design of the breakwater, and it varies depending on a large number of parameters, from the effecting wave characteristics to the structure characteristics. One of the important factors affecting the stability coefficient is the geometry of the armor unit. Hydraulic stability and structural stability vary in the opposite direction with respect to the geometry of the blocks. Wave resistance of the blocks in simple forms, i.e. hydraulic stability is less, but structural stability is higher due to their simple geometry. As the geometry of the block starts to become complex, it is observed that the structural stability decreases as they turn into a more slender structure, whereas the hydraulic stability increases due to the interlocking of the blocks. The principles of coastal engineering suggest that the structure serves the intended purpose as well as sufficient strength. Therefore, the contradiction of hydraulic stability and structural stability turns the issue into an optimization problem. In the thesis study, seven types of blocks (Cube, Antifer, Tetrapode, Dolos, Accropode, Coreloc, Xbloc) commonly used in practice were examined for the relationship between hydraulic stability and structural stability. The structural stability analysis of selected concrete blocks was completed as a comparative analysis of the hydraulic and structural stability of different concrete blocks was carried out. As a result, it is shown that no block type have full performance both as hydraulically and structurally, and this issue needs further research.