DROP TEST OF PROTOTYPE CUBE AND CUBIPOD ARMOR UNITS

[摘要] The structural strength of concrete armor units (CAUs) is a key factor in the design and construction of armor layers for large mound breakwaters. This paper describes the prototype drop tests carried out to assess the structural strength of conventional cube and Cubipod CAUs. Low intensity overturning tests, high intensity free fall tests and extreme intense free fall tests were conducted to measure the structural integrity under impact loads of the Cubipod CAUcompared to the conventional cubic block. The casting systems and pressure clamps were specifically designed to manufacture and handle the 15-tonne conventional cube and 16-tonne Cubipod prototypes used for the drop tests.Two reinforced-concrete platforms were used for overturning and free fall tests. The 16-tonne Cubipod prototypes withstand drops more than 50% higher than 15-tonne conventional cube prototypes of similar concrete strength. Two extreme free fall tests verified the robustness of Cubipod prototypes in accidental falls during construction. Both Cubipod and conventional cube CAUs have similar stacking and handling procedures as well as manufacturing cycletime.

[学科分类] 建筑学

[关键词] rubble-mound breakwater;armor unit;Cubipod;drop test;prototype test;concrete block