Breakwater stability with damaged single layer armour units

The effect of single layer interlocking armour unit breakage on the hydraulic armour layer stability and potential damage progression is addressed in this paper. A 2-dimensional scale model of a rubble mound breakwater with an armour layer consisting of Xbloc armour units was tested. The residual armour layer stability with broken units was determined. The armour unit displacement and damage progression was assessed. According to the test series breakage of the single layer armour units has a significant negative effect on start of damage of the armour layer. Breakage of units has however no significant effect on failure of the armour layer. This leads to a long and gradual damage progression compared to an armour layer without broken units.Hydraulic EngineeringCivil Engineering and Geoscience