Modular Perforated Seabed Structure for Integrated Breakwater and Pier
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The development of deep-water ports capable of handling jumbo container ships is hindered by the lack of available coastal land, insufficiently deep water, and the high costs associated with dredging and constructing traditional breakwaters, which are often separate from the pier structures and require extensive maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A modular, perforated structure integrated into the seabed, comprising prefabricated modules with concave corner portions and orthogonal crosspiece connectors, allowing for the formation of cavities filled with concrete to create a self-supporting breakwater and pier system that can be constructed without additional dredging, eliminating the need for coastal land and reducing construction costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional separate breakwater and pier construction is used, then port functionality is achieved, but construction cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the breakwater and pier into a single integrated modular structure. Each module combines both breakwater functionality (perforated walls for wave protection) and pier functionality (platform for ship mooring and cargo operations), eliminating the need for separate construction and reducing overall project cost while maintaining both functions
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated structure is divided into standardized modular units that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. Each module is a self-contained unit with standardized dimensions and connection interfaces, enabling factory production and streamlined construction while achieving structural integration
2Ease of manufacture
If extensive dredging is performed to create sufficient water depth, then deep-water port access is enabled, but construction and maintenance expense increases massively
Solution Approach 1:
The modular units are pre-assembled on land in controlled conditions before being transported and installed in the water. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need for extensive on-site dredging and construction operations, as the modules are designed to be installed in their final configuration directly at the port location
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses standardized modular units that can be replicated and assembled in various configurations. These pre-fabricated modules serve as templates that can be copied and deployed systematically, eliminating the need for custom on-site construction and extensive dredging operations
3Ease of manufacture
If modular caissons are used for port construction, then cost advantages are achieved, but the port remains tied to land requiring dredging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional land-based port construction to offshore modular assembly. By moving the construction process to the water dimension and using buoyant modular units, the system achieves independence from coastal land requirements while maintaining cost advantages through modularization
4Device complexity
If breakwater is constructed as separate entity from pier, then construction flexibility is maintained, but overall project cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breakwater and pier functions are merged into single integrated modular units. Each module contains both the perforated breakwater walls and the pier platform, creating a unified structure that reduces the number of separate construction projects and lowers overall cost while maintaining construction flexibility through modular assembly
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A perforated structure mountable onto a seabed comprises: a plurality of prefabricated perforated modules integratable into the structure and at least one connector interconnecting corner portions of the prefabricated perforated modules. Each prefabricated perforated module has a corner portion comprising a concave surface such that the corner portions being integrated together into the structure form a cavity to be filled with a concrete. The connector comprises a crosspiece having three arms orthogonal to each other. Each arm has a cross-like cross section. The crosspiece has reinforcing members distributed within the concrete.