Physical modelling tests were conducted in a wave flume of Artelia's hydraulic laboratory to study the hydraulic response/stability of a rubble mound breakwater with non-standard core composed of crushed concrete blocks. This design carried out by EDF was initiated in response to develop a high permeability breakwater and to follow an eco-design approach with the reuse of materials.
The hydraulic response of three different typical sections were tested and compared; all the sections had the same armour layer but were composed with different core and filter layers, i.e. core made with crushed concrete blocks only, core and underlayer made with such crushed blocks and quarry run core with rock underlayer.
Several responses were studied: armour layer stability, overtopping, transmission and reflection of the structure and head loss on both sides of the structure.
This case study also illustrated the importance of the physical modelling approach to testing atypical structure.
