| Summary: | This paper aims to evaluate the structural strength of unreinforced concrete armor units (CAU), named Cubipod<sup>®</sup>, used on rubble-mound breakwaters and coastal structures, through a numerical methodology using the combined finite–discrete element method (FDEM). A numerical modeling methodology is developed to reproduce the results of an experimental examination published by Medina et al. (2011) of a free-fall drop test performed on a 15 t conventional Cubic block and a 16 t Cubipod<sup>®</sup> unit. The field results of the Cube drop tests were used to calibrate the model. The numerically simulated response to the Cubipod<sup>®</sup> test is then discussed in the context of a validation study. The calibration process and validation study provide insights into the sensitivity of breakage to tensile strength and collision angle, as well as a better understanding of the crushing and cracking damage of this unit under drop test impact conditions.
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