Modular Artificial Reef With Permeable Top
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial reefs face issues such as sinking, burying, and dragging due to soft sediment, lack of bacterial fauna assimilation, inadequate separation of coral habitat from sediment, insufficient surface area for coral growth, and limited habitat diversity.
Innovation Solution
The development of modular artificial reef articles comprising a top with enhanced water permeability, support members connected to the top, and an optional base, designed to distribute weight, reduce hydrodynamic drag, and provide diverse habitats for coral and fish.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If artificial reefs are deployed on soft sediment, then they provide habitat for marine organisms, but they sink into the sediment
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial reef is divided into multiple modular units that can be deployed independently. Each unit has its own base and support structure, allowing them to function as individual stable entities while forming a collective reef system. This segmentation enables easier deployment and reduces the overall sinking force on any single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial reef structure incorporates porous materials that allow water permeability while maintaining structural integrity. The porous design reduces the effective weight of the structure by allowing water to pass through, thereby reducing the sinking force while still providing adequate habitat surfaces for marine organisms.
2Reliability
If artificial reefs are placed on soft bottom, then they establish habitat, but they get covered by sediment
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial reef units are pre-assembled with bases designed to resist sediment accumulation before deployment. The base structures include features such as protrusions or anchor points that are prepared in advance to prevent sediment from completely covering the structure, ensuring long-term visibility and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The design parameters of the base structure are optimized to change the interaction between the artificial reef and soft sediment. By adjusting parameters such as base surface area, shape, and material properties, the structure achieves better resistance against sediment burial while maintaining stability on the soft bottom.
3Reliability
If strong currents act on artificial reefs, then they experience water flow for habitat, but they are dragged from deployment site
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial reef is segmented into modular units with individual anchor systems. This allows each unit to independently resist drag forces from strong currents while maintaining its deployed position. The segmented design enables better distribution of hydrodynamic loads across multiple anchor points.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structures are designed with local quality variations, including areas of different material densities and anchor configurations tailored to specific current conditions. This allows optimal resistance to drag forces at critical locations while maintaining overall habitat functionality.
4Area of stationary object
If artificial reefs use large structures, then they provide extensive habitat, but deployment becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The large habitat structure is divided into multiple smaller modular units that can be easily transported and deployed. Each module maintains the essential habitat features while being small enough for simplified deployment operations. The modules can be assembled on-site to form the complete large-scale reef system.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular units are designed with universal interfaces and standardized components that can be assembled in various configurations. This multi-functionality allows the same basic module to serve different habitat purposes while simplifying deployment through standardized procedures and equipment.
5Device complexity
If artificial reefs have single habitat type, then they simplify design, but they lack biodiversity support
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial reef system is segmented into different modular units, each designed to provide specific habitat types such as coral attachment surfaces, fish shelter cavities, and sediment-trapping structures. This segmentation allows diverse habitats to be distributed across multiple simple modules rather than requiring one complex monolithic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular units are designed with universal characteristics that allow them to fulfill multiple ecological functions. Each module can support different species assemblages while maintaining a relatively simple design, achieving habitat diversity through the combination of standardized multi-functional units.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to articles used as an artificial reef and/or used as a part of an artificial reef, methods of making the articles, methods of using the articles, and methods of forming artificial reefs. The articles include a top, at least one support member, and optionally, a base. In some embodiments, the water permeability of the top of the article is greater (and in some embodiments, at least 10% greater) than the water permeability of the support, the water permeability of the optional base, or both. In preferred embodiments, the top, support(s), and optional base are formed of concrete.