On the Use of Amour Block-RAKUNA IV in Breakwaters and Coastal Protection Works in Vietnam

Abstract

This paper is concerned with a survey on the use of artificial concrete blocks for harbour breakwaters and coastal protection works in Vietnam. Relevant design parameters as built such as type of structure, block type and weight, and design wave from major port projects have been acquired. The result reveals an astonishing fact that most breakwaters have customarily been armoured with conventional and low-stability types of wave dissipating blocks. It is also shown in the study that for breakwaters which extends in intermediate to deep water these types of conventional blocks are not really cost-effective. A variety of block types, including a new generation of blocks, for a wide range of hydraulic conditions would therefore be very beneficial for design engineers’ considerations both in terms of financial and technical perspectives. A better block alternative is envisaged not only to be more effective in dissipating wave energy but also more reasonable in the construction cost.