Abstract
The Tetrapod was invented twelve years ago and the first breakwater with a Tetrapod protection was built eleven years ago. It is felt that a review of the results since obtained with these artificial blocks may be of some interest, preferably in the form of an objective practical examination of the behaviour of Tetrapod-protected structures during the past few years, and of the way in which they have stood up to bad weather during the period. First, however, a brief description will be given of the development of the Tetrapod and the Tetrapod technique.
 Most breakwaters are of the rubble-mound type, because of the very good hydraulic properties of this type of design ; the seaward slope, roughness and "porosity" of their facings are generally such as to ensure the gradual destruction of wave energy, reduce wave overtopping and reflection and minimize toe erosion risks.
Highlights
The Tetrapod was invented twelve years ago and the first breakwater with a Tetrapod protection was built eleven years ago
It is felt that a review of the results since obtained with these artificial blocks may be of some interest, preferably in the form of an objective practical examination of the behaviour of Tetrapod-protected structures during the past few years, and of the way in which they have stood up to bad wheather during the period
After a certain period of cautious reserve, Project Authorities, Contractors and Consulting Engineers soon came to realize the qualities it was possible to give a breakwater by protecting it with Tetrapods, and these artificial blocks very soon came into widespread use throughout the world
Summary
The first Tetrapod patent was registered in 1950, i.e. about twelve years ago. After a certain period of cautious reserve, Project Authorities, Contractors and Consulting Engineers soon came to realize the qualities it was possible to give a breakwater by protecting it with Tetrapods, and these artificial blocks very soon came into widespread use throughout the world. At the water intake pier heads, the local depth of water limits wave amplitudes to 5-6 metres (16-20') It was found during the design studies that 50 metric ton rectangular blocks laid to a slope of 2:3 would not provide a stable form of protection. The Tetrapod facing has remained steady ever since, and has been providing an efficient protection for the pier heads during the past eleven years, a fact which is, maiden*, tally, confirmed in a letter dated the 3rd January 3,962 from Mr A.Desgigot the Director of the Equipment Branch of "Energie Electrique du Maroc" This is a interesting result, for it is quite definite that, winter after winter, the structure has been undergoing repeated batterings by the strongest waves that can possibly occur in the shallow water in which it stands. The characteristics of the five very severe storms the structure has since withstood have been reconstructed by the application of wave hindcastmg methods to a point some 40 miles north-west of Crescent City, with the following results : February 1958
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