XBLOC-PLUS – DEVELOPMENT OF A REGULAR PLACED INTERLOCKING ARMOUR UNIT

Abstract

Randomly placed single layer interlocking concrete armor units are currently the most advanced and cost-efficient option for the protection of breakwaters. The key feature of these units is the random orientation of the units, which requires the crane operator to assess the orientation of each individual unit during block placement. DMC noticed the desire for a block which can be placed in a regular pattern as this will increase the placement rates. Apart of this, regular placement of armor units can also be preferred for aesthetical reasons. Fifteen years after the introduction of Xbloc, DMC therefore introduces a new breakwater armour unit called XblocPlus which is placed with uniform block orientations.