DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN BREAKWATER FOR THE OUTER PORT AT PUNTA LANGOSTEIRA (A CORU?A, SPAIN)

摘要

This paper describes the design process, hydraulic stability tests and construction of the Cubipod? armored Western breakwater at Punta Langosteira (Outer Port of A Coru?a, Spain), located on the Atlantic coast of Spain. The environmental, geotechnical, economic and logistic conditions favored randomly-placed Cubipods for single-layer armoring of the trunk. 3D hydraulic stability tests were carried out to validate the final design of the Western Breakwater; two models were tested with single- and double-layer Cubipod armors in the trunk and roundhead, respectively. Single-layer 25- and 30-tonne Cubipod? armors were used for the trunk section and a double-layer 45-tonne Cubipod? armor was used for the roundhead. During this project, new challenges were overcome, such as constructing a transition between single and double-layer armors, and manufacturing and handling of 45-tonne Cubipods. The transition in the armor thickness was solved by modifying the filter thickness under the main armor, to ensure a homogeneous external armor profile. Breakwater construction finished in November 2016 with no significant problem or delay in the original schedule.