Tetrahedra 1

[tomcad]

Hi Folks:

I'm trying to find a source for marine shoreline erosion control, but I'm really stuck on a specific topic. I don't know how to identify the structure I saw in use on Puget Sound last summer. It's basic shape appeared to be an open tetrahedra. The construction material was concrete. Two or more of the structures can be interlocked forming a very tight integration. Can anyone identify the structure?

Thanks, Tom.

 

[RWF7437]

I believe what you saw was a type of shore protection devised by the US Army Corps of Engineers. You can find out more, much more, at their website which is, I think:

http://usace.army.mil

 

[smckennz]

They are called tetrapods, and made the originator a very wealthy man.

Cheers

Steve

 

[ANEDIAN]

The structure you saw was a "breakwater" made from tetrpod units. Tetrapods as you saw, are made from concrete of strength not less than 35N/mm2.

Breakwater structures are used either as shore protection structures or for land reclamation or for harbour basin construction.

Please refer to Shore Protection Manual (SPM) for more details on tetrapods and other breakwater construction elements.

Goodluck.
Anji