ACCROPODE

" The benchmark in single-layer

armouring technology"

"The single-layer team at your service from

preliminary design through to completion of works"
ACCROPODE
Single-layer system
for breakwater armouring

Background
The ACCROPODE is the first single-layer artificial armour unit developed by SOGREAH.
Widely used, this technology has proved to be successful on over 150 breakwater projects worldwide.
Technical assistance is systematically provided on all ACCROPODE projects.

Hydraulic stability
Good hydraulic stability shown in extensive
physical scale-model testing.

Specified stability coefficients at design stage:

- Hudsons design KD values:
15 on trunk sections
11.5 on roundheads
- Van der Meer stability number
NS = HS/( Dn50)= 2.7
where 3D tests
HS = significant wave height
= relative mass density
Dn50 = nominal diameter 2D tests

These coefficients are valid for armour

slopes from 3H/2V to 4H/3V Proven structural robustness
and for seabed slopes up to 3%. During the development stage, finite-element methods
and full-scale drop tests were implemented to check
the sturdiness of the unit using ordinary mass concrete.

Experience on 150 projects over 23 years has

demonstrated the excellent behaviour
of the ACCROPODE.

Concrete strength specifications

Min. compressive strength Min. tensile strength

Fc at 28 days Ft at 28 days

0.8 m3 Unit volume 16.0 m3 30 MPa 3.0 MPa

18.0 m3 Unit volume 20.0 m3 35 MPa 3.5 MPa

Drop tests
Practical formwork Shells before assembly Form ready for casting
Quick stripping and assembly of the two shells

Simple casting
Min. area required to cast one unit of height H: 1.50H
Moulds are opened when concrete strength reaches:
7 MPa for units up to 9 m3
10 MPa for larger units
Daily standard production rate: one unit per mould

Storage and handling

Forklifting is effective for handling small to medium size units
Large units are handled by sling Hauling a large unit with a dumper

ACCROPODE units can be stored one on top of the other 1.5 H

Min. area required to store 10 units on one level: 8H

where H = ACCROPODE unit height
H
Fast placement
Principle: each unit placed in a random attitude to obtain
the specified packing density, using GPS.
Na Plan layout of casting arrangement
-2/3
Proper packing provides adequate coverage on breakwater slope: = Vaccr
where A
Na = Number of armour units
A = Unit area of breakwater slope
= Packing density
Vaccr = ACCROPODE unit volume

Placement rates

Average placing time per unit

0.8 m3 Unit volume 3.0 m3 5 to 8 mins
4.0 m3 Unit volume 9.0 m3 9 to 12 mins Placement in progress

9.0 m3 Unit volume 20.0 m3 12 to 20 mins

Completed armouring

Screen display in the crane during placement

150 ACCROPODE projects
completed in over 40 countries

Photo Credit: Patrice Lefebvre - Graphic design: Kineka +33 (0)4 76 33 43 17 - 2004
Head office
In France
CLI
3, cours du 56, av. Marcel Dassault
B.P. 510 - 37205 Tours cedex 3 - France
Tel. +33 (0)2 47 74 18 10
Fax +33 (0)2 47 74 18 12
michel.denechere@concretelayer.com

Other offices
In France
Sogreah Consultants
6, rue de Lorraine - 38130 Echirolles - France
Tel. +33 (0)4 76 33 40 00
Fax +33 (0)4 76 33 43 33
michel.fons@sogreah.fr

In the U.S.
Baird & Associates
2981 Yarmouth Greenway Dr.
Madison, WI 53711 - USA
Tel. +1 608 273 0592
Fax +1 608 273 2010
dwerren@baird.com

ACCROPODE is a registered trademark of Sogreah Consultants

ACCROPODE armour units are protected by patents www.concretelayer.com
CLI is the licensee of Sogreah Consultants