Application of the finite-discrete element method to dynamic stress development in armour units and armour layers

摘要

Policy makers formulating adaptation strategies in response to climate change will increasingly turn to coastal engineers for practical solutions to 'hold the line' where it is deemed necessary to protect communities and infrastructure. A popular design approach is protection with "rubble mound" armour layers consisting of thousands of quarried rocks and/or concrete units. They are placed by crane or excavator in a manner to encourage interlocking with neighbouring units. This has proven to be a very adaptable design approach. However, further design optimisation remains hampered by a lack of understanding of forces and stresses especially those during disturbance by storm waves.