Breakwater Armour Crest Elements with Flush-Back Force Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breakwater crest elements with projections dissipate wave energy inefficiently, leading to large forces that require additional structural support and hinder aesthetic continuity with constructions above the breakwater.
Innovation Solution
A crest element design with a central part having wings and a nose, featuring a flush back face that allows for a smooth transition to constructions above, reducing wave energy dissipation through projections and enhancing stability by shifting the center of gravity and point of rotation, with a staggered arrangement of armour elements for efficient wave energy dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If crest elements with projections (like L-shaped elements) are used, then wave energy dissipation is improved, but structural complexity and additional support requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the horizontal leg projection from the crest element design, retaining only the essential vertical wave-blocking function. This removal of the projecting horizontal portion simplifies the structure while maintaining energy dissipation effectiveness through the vertical leg and armour layer configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the previously harmful effect of complex projections into a beneficial streamlined design. By eliminating unnecessary projections, the structure reduces complexity and material requirements while the vertical leg configuration and armour layer arrangement continue to effectively dissipate wave energy through controlled breaking and turbulence.
2Loss of energy
If crest elements with projections are used, then wave energy dissipation occurs, but large forces are generated requiring additional structural support
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the horizontal projecting leg that generated excessive forces, keeping only the vertical leg necessary for wave blocking. This extraction eliminates the lever arm that amplified wave forces, reducing the structural load while preserving the essential wave energy dissipation function through the vertical configuration and armour layer.
3Loss of energy
If crest elements with projections are used, then wave energy is dissipated, but aesthetic continuity with constructions above is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the projecting horizontal portions that disrupted visual continuity, retaining only the vertical leg that provides essential wave-blocking function. This creates a cleaner, more streamlined appearance that transitions smoothly to constructions above the breakwater while the armour layer and vertical configuration continue to dissipate wave energy effectively.
4Loss of energy
If armour elements with multiple projections (wings, tail, nose) are used, then wave energy dissipation through interspaces is improved, but transition smoothness to horizontal construction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the tail projection from the armour element configuration, eliminating the disruption to transition smoothness. The retained wings and nose continue to create effective interspaces for wave energy dissipation, while the streamlined shape without the tail projection achieves better aesthetic continuity with horizontal constructions above the breakwater.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design provides a more stable and efficient breakwater by minimizing wave energy dissipation through projections, allowing for a seamless transition and reducing structural demands, while maintaining effective wave energy management.
Implementation Method 1
When the water passes through these interspaces energy of the waves is dissipated by damping
Implementation Method 2
enhancing stability by shifting the center of gravity and point of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2~3
Figure 5~9
AI summary
The invention concerns a crest element in an armour layer assembly of a breakwater. The crest element comprises: a central part; two wings extending from the central part in opposing directions along, when placed on a breakwater, the length direction of the breakwater; and a nose extending from the central part in a forward direction transverse to the length direction of the breakwater. The backside of the central part is a vertically oriented, back face facing in a backward direction opposite to the forward direction. The crest element may in particular be used as crest element for armour layers comprising armour elements of the type having a central part from which: two wings extend in opposing directions, and a tail and nose extend in opposing directions transverse to the direction of extension of the wings. The invention further concerns an armour layer, a breakwater and methods using the crest elements.