PLACEMENT OF CUBIPOD ARMOR UNITS IN SAN ANDRÉS BREAKWATER (PORT OF MALAGA, SPAIN)

Abstract

Single- and double-layer Cubipod armors were considered in the preliminary design of the San Andrés breakwater (Port of Malaga, Spain). 2D and 3D hydraulic stability and overtopping tests for single- and double-layer Cubipod armors were carried out as well as realistic 3D placement tests using a small-scale crawler crane and pressure clamps. The low bearing capacity of the sea bottom and the uncertainty about breakwater settlements were the key factors to use the double-layer Cubipod armor in the final design. Optimum placement grids are different for straight trunk, curved trunk and roundhead designs; the dimensionless plan curvature is the key factor for optimum placement grids. The bottom Cubipod armor layer placed on 1-tonne quarrystone was better placed with lower porosity than the upper Cubipod layer placed on 6-tonne (2.6 m3) Cubipods. The on-going prototype placement method with a crawler crane and pressure clamps is similar to that used in the small-scale tests.