Variable Permeability Pile Foundation Breakwater

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional impermeable breakwaters disrupt hydrodynamic and ecological environments, causing erosion, silting, coastline changes, and water pollution, and are costly and scarce in materials, especially in regions like China.

Innovation Solution

A pile foundation permeable breakwater with variable permeability, featuring two rows of prefabricated pile foundations with sliding wave breaking plates and a transmission control system to adjust permeability, allowing for optimal wave breaking while maintaining water flow and ecological balance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional impermeable breakwaters are used, then wave breaking effect is achieved, but hydrodynamic environment is greatly changed and ecological environment is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrodynamic environment disruptionVSAvoidwave breaking effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The breakwater structure incorporates movable wave breaking plates that can dynamically adjust their position and angle based on wave conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the structure to adapt to varying waves while maintaining effective wave breaking, unlike static traditional breakwaters. The movable plates reduce hydrodynamic disruption by allowing water flow through the structure while still providing wave protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The breakwater uses a porous structure with gaps between pile foundations and movable wave breaking plates that allow water to pass through. This permeability enables water exchange on both sides of the breakwater, reducing the creation of large calm water areas and minimizing disruption to the hydrodynamic environment while still providing effective wave breaking through the movable plates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If sloping breakwaters with riprap structures are used, then wave breaking is provided, but geological conditions are poor and construction cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewave breaking capabilityVSAvoidconstruction cost and material availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The breakwater is divided into modular prefabricated components including pile foundations, panel structures, and movable wave breaking plates. These standardized modules can be manufactured off-site and assembled on location, reducing construction costs and material requirements compared to traditional monolithic riprap structures. The segmented design also allows for easier maintenance and adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If vertical breakwaters are used, then structure stability is improved, but standing waves with high wave pressure are formed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure stabilityVSAvoidwave pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The movable wave breaking plates can adjust their angle and position dynamically. When waves approach, the plates can be positioned to break waves effectively; when water needs to flow through, the plates can be repositioned to reduce pressure buildup. This dynamic adjustment prevents the formation of high-pressure standing waves that occur with fixed vertical breakwaters while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If permeable breakwater is used, then water exchange capacity is improved, but wave breaking effect may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater exchange capacityVSAvoidwave breaking effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable wave breaking plates enable the structure to dynamically switch between permeable and wave-breaking modes. When wave breaking is needed, the plates are positioned to intercept and break waves while allowing water flow through the permeable structure. This dynamic control maintains both water exchange capacity and wave breaking effectiveness, overcoming the trade-off present in fixed permeable structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11286630B2Pile foundation permeable breakwater with variable permeability and construction method thereof

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 OCEAN UNIV OF CHINA

AI summary

The present invention discloses a pile foundation permeable breakwater with variable permeability, comprising: two rows of prefabricated pile foundations. The tops of the prefabricated pile foundations are fixedly provided with a prefabricated panel. The top of the prefabricated panel is provided with a wave wall and a breast wall. The prefabricated pile foundations are integrally connected with fixed wave breaking plates; sliding rails are installed correspondingly on the top and the bottom between every two adjacent prefabricated pile foundations in the same row; and movable wave breaking plates are slidably connected between each pair of sliding rails. A control system for controlling the slide of the movable wave breaking plates is installed on the prefabricated panel. The present invention also discloses a construction method of the pile foundation permeable breakwater with variable permeability.