Numerical Model Study of Prototype Drop Tests on Cube and Cubipod^® Concrete Armor Units Using the Combined Finite–Discrete Element Method

• Main Authors: Giulio Scaravaglione, John-Paul Latham, Jiansheng Xiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
• Subjects: concrete armor unit; Cubipod; drop test; numerical simulation; combined finite–discrete element method; fracture model
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/9/5/460

This paper aims to evaluate the structural strength of unreinforced concrete armor units (CAU), named Cubipod^®, 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^® unit. The field results of the Cube drop tests were used to calibrate the model. The numerically simulated response to the Cubipod^® 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.