TETRAPODS

Pierre Danel

doi:10.9753/icce.v4.28

Abstract

Highlights

The tetrapod is no longer entirely a new-comer in the field of marine construction
A revetment constructed of tetrapods is pervious,and on the one hand there is no risk whatever of under-pressure, and on the other, wave energy is satisfactorily absorbed and overtopping is reduced, in addition the block projections provide the revetment with the required roughness
Tetrapods have produced the results expected of them and experience has shown that they have the qualities anticipated

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The tetrapod is no longer entirely a new-comer in the field of marine construction. The sea water intake of the Roches Noires thermic power station at Casablanca, North Africa, the first strupture for which tetrapods were used, was constructed nearly four years ago. The following remark made by engineers specializing in marine work undoubtedly points to the origin of this inventions "The rectangular or cubic artificial blocks normally used are nearly always less stable than natural rocks of the same unit weight, ana of random shape, used under the same conditions." This fact, observed after systematic studies and comparisons and both oonfirmed and amplified by scale model tests, obviously constituted a real challenge to the science of engineering. It was necessary to have the tools needed to make a practical study of the different block shapes under consideration. These conditions were fulfilled in the Neyrpic Hydraulics Laboratory.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TETRAPOD

USE OP TETRAPODS

CONCLUSION