Internet Calculator Concept Design

October 27, 2017

 Internet Calculator
xbloc@xbloc.com
Concept Design

Calculator Input
Thank you for choosing the DMC Xbloc Calculator for determining the required Xbloc size for your breakwater
and/or revetment project. To calculate the required Xbloc size for the Xbloc armour layer various factors that
affect the design have to be taken into account. These factors are used as input for the calculator which then
calculates the required minimum theoretical Xbloc size. The minimum required theoretical Xbloc size is
rounded off to come up with an Xbloc standard size.

Please find in Table 1 the input parameters with which the calculation was executed. In Figure 1 a typical
cross-section of a breakwater is given in which the input parameters are indicated.

Table 1: Input Parameters

Parameters Parameter Value Unit

1 Section type Trunk section
2 Armour slope 3:4
3 Concrete density 2400 kg/m3
4 Water density 1030 kg/m3
5 Hs 1 year 1 m
6 Design wave height 3 m
7 Seabed slope 2 %
8 Toe level -1 m
9 Crest level 5 m
10 Seabed level at toe -1 m
11 Design high water level 3.5 m
12 Core permeability Fine core with geotextile

Figure 1: Typical cross-section

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Calculator Output
From the input parameters output values are determined by the calculator.

In Table 2 the output values are given. The correction factors together with the applied factor used in the
calculation are shown in Table 3. Please note that the results generated by the online calculator are still only
indicative and should only be used as an initial approach. After a design is made physical model tests are
always recommended by DMC to verify the stability of the design.

Table 2: Output values

Parameters Parameter Value Unit

1 Theoretical volume 1.08 m3
2 Standard volume 1.00 m3
3 Unit mass 2.4 t
4 Unit height 1.44 m
5 Armour thickness 1.4 m
6 Concrete volume 0.58 m3/m2
7 Rock grading under layer 0.06 - 0.3 t
8 Thickness under layer 0.8 m
9 Packing density 57.81 Xblocs/100m2
10 Number of rows 8

Table 3: Correction factors

Correction factors Parameter Value

1 Frequent occurrence of near design wave height 1
2 Seabed slope 1
3 Low crested 1.5
4 Water depth / Hs 1
5 Core permeability 2
6 Armour slope 1
7 Applied factor 2

If assistance or advice is required for the design of a Xbloc breakwater and/or revetment do not hesitate to
contact DMC at:

xbloc@xbloc.com
dmc@dmc.nl
+31 182 590 610

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 Internet Calculator
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Concept Design

Calculator Information
For the design of typical cross sections of breakwaters and shore protections, the required Xbloc size depends
on the design wave height and is determined with the Xbloc Calculator which is based on the following formula:

V Xbloc volume [m3]

Hs Design significant wave height [m]
V = [Hs / (2.77* )]3, where: Relative concrete density (c w)/w [-]
c Mass density of concrete [kg/m3]
w Mass density of water [kg/m3]
On a breakwater head or on a curved breakwater section, placement of the units is complicated by the
breakwater geometry. Furthermore the wave action can be affected by the geometry and as a consequence
the stability of the units is reduced. Therefore the weight of the Xblocs on a breakwater head or curved section
is increased by 25% compared to the unit mass on a straight section. Furthermore there are a number of
phenomena which require to further increase the Xbloc size. The phenomena and the correction factors on the
unit weight are as follows:

Phenomenon Effect on Armour stability Correction factor

Rocking of units, which can occur for a small
Frequent occurrence
percentage of the armour units during the design
of near design wave
event of a breakwater, can occur frequently during the 1.25
height during lifetime
lifetime of the structure. Therefore rocking should be
of the structure
carefully assessed during the physical model tests.
1.1 (between 1:30 and 1:20)
The foreshore in
A steep foreshore can lead to adverse wave impact 1.25 (between 1:20 and 1:15)
front of the structure
against the armour layer. 1.5 (between 1:15 and 1:10)
is steep
2.0 (greater than 1:10)
Armour units placed on the horizontal crest and high 2 for relative freeboard
The structure is low on the slope are less stable than units placed lower (=freeboard divided by the
crested on the slope, where interlocking is increased by design wave height)< 0.5
gravity and the above-lying units. 1.5 for relative freeboard < 1
For typical nearshore breakwater cross sections, the
ratio between the highest wave heights in the
spectrum and the significant wave height is in the
The water depth is order of 1.2 to 1.4. For breakwaters in the deep water, 1.5 for water depth > 2.5 x Hs
large this ratio can be up to 1.8 -2. As the largest waves in 2 for water depth > 3.5 x Hs
the spectrum cause the largest loads on the armour
layer, the stability of the armour layer is reduced
compared to breakwaters in lower water depths.

A low core permeability can lead to large pressures in

the armour layer and reduce the stability of the
The core armour layer. The permeability of the core depends 1.5 for low core permeability
permeability is low on the materials used and the distance at the water 2 for an impermeable core
line between the armour layer and the impermeable
layer.
On a mild slope, the interlocking of armour units is
The armour slope is 1.25 (slope milder than 2:3)
less effective and as a consequence the stability is
mild (<1:1.5) 1.5 (slope milder than 1:2)
reduced.

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Concept Design

Calculator parameters
For the design of typical cross sections of breakwaters and shore protections, the required Xbloc size depends
on the design wave height, concrete and water density and other parameters like the armour slope and
seabed slope. The calculator uses these parameters to determine a theoretical Xbloc volume. The theoretical
Xbloc volume is then rounded off to a standard Xbloc size. Other parameters like freeboard, core permeability,
etc. affect the required size and thus have to be taken into account.

Table 4: Input parameters list

Parameters Parameter Unit Limit values

1 Section type
2 Armour slope
3 Concrete density
4 Water density
5 Hs 1 year
6 Design wave height
7 Seabed slope
8 Toe level
9 Crest level
- -
- -
kg/m3 2350 - 2500
kg/m3 1000 - 1050
m -
m -
% 0 - 30
m Total height of structure cannot
m exceed 20 rows of Xblocs

10 Seabed level at toe m -

11 Design high water level m -
12 Core permeability - -

If the parameters as presented here above are outside the limits, please feel free to ask for advice from DMC:
dmc@dmc.nl or xbloc@xbloc.com.

Input parameters description

1. The calculation can be applied on two types of structure stretches: a trunk section or a non-linear section
(sharp bend or curve / roundhead section).
2. The calculator can consider armour slopes of 3:4, 2:3, 1:1.75, 1:2 and 1:2.25. Slopes milder than 2:3
require larger Xblocs.
3. The concrete density should not be overestimated in order to be lower than the minimum measured
density on site.
4. The water density is between 1000 to 1050 kg /m3.
5. The Hs 1 year is the significant wave height that can occur during a return period of 1 year.
6. The design wave height is the design significant wave height that can occur during the lifetime of the
structure. The ratio Hs 1 year / design wave height is a measure for the frequency of occurrence of the
near design wave height during the lifetime of the structure. If this ratio is larger than 0.8, a correction
factor of 1.25 is applied to the Xbloc weight.
7. The seabed slope is estimated taking into consideration the mean seabed slope in front of the structure.
8. The toe level is the level on which the first row of Xbloc or Xbase is placed.
9. The crest level is the top level of the Xbloc armour layer.
10. The Seabed level at the toe is the level on which the underlayer is placed for the Xbloc armour layer.
11. The design high water level is the highest water level that can occur during a return period of 100 year.
12. The core permeability has an influence on the wave induced forces on the Xbloc armour layer. An

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Concept Design

impermeable core requires larger Xblocs.

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Concept Design

Table 5: Output parameters list

Parameters Parameter Unit

1 Theoretical volume m3
2 Standard volume m3
3 Unit mass t
4 Unit height m
5 Armour thickness m
6 Concrete volume m3/m2
7 Rock grading under layer t
8 Thickness under layer m
9 Packing density Xblocs/100m2
10 Number of rows -

Output parameters description

1. The theoretical volume is the unit volume resulting from the calculator computation.
2. The standard volume is chosen from the standard sizes taken into account the theoretical volume needed.
3. The unit mass is calculated from the standard volume and the concrete density provided by the Designer.
4. The unit height is determined from the standard volume.
5. The armour thickness is related to the calculated standard volume.
6. The concrete volume is determined by the calculated standard volume and packing density. It is a
measure for how much volume of concrete is used for every square meter of Xbloc armour layer. The
concrete consumption per m2 is specified to Xbloc design standards.
7. The minimum required rock grading for the under layer of the calculated standard Xbloc size.
8. The under layer thickness is related to the under layer rock grading.
9. The number of units per 100 m2 is specified according to the standard volume determined by the
Calculator.
10. The number of rows is specified according to the standard volume determined by the Calculator, the toe
level, the crest level and the armour slope provided by the Designer.

For further information concerning input and output parameters, do not hesitate to contact DMC: dmc@dmc.nl
or xbloc@xbloc.com.

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Concept Design

Conditions of Use of Xbloc Internet Calculator

Delta Marine Consultants [DMC] is a trademark of BAM Infraconsult B.V., a private company with limited
liability, with registered office at H.J. Nederhorststraat 1, Gouda, The Netherlands.

DMC is holder of several patents and patent applications in relation to the XBLOC Unit and the XBLOC Unit is
known and legally protected by the trademark XBLOC.

Client wishes to use DMCs Xbloc Internet Calculator on www.xbloc.com.

Client shall not use XBLOC without a signed Xbloc agreement between Client and DMC in place. The use of
XBLOC shall be carried out according to the XBLOC Specifications.

The following conditions apply to the use of the Xbloc Internet Calculator.

DMC shall exercise all reasonable skill, care and diligence in the performance of the Xbloc Internet
Calculator. The result of the Xbloc Internet Calculator is based on current professional insights. Changes
in these insights may lead to changes in DMCs advice.
DMC shall not be not liable for any direct and/or indirect or consequential damages or losses such as loss
of revenue, loss of profit, loss of anticipated profit, loss of use, production, product, productivity, facility
downtime and business opportunity resulting from the Xbloc Internet Calculator.
The advice provided by DMC is subject to confirmative physical model tests to be carried out by Client
prior to the use of XBLOC.
All information provided by DMC concerning (the application of) XBLOC is proprietary information of DMC.
It shall not be disclosed by Client to any third parties.
The relationship between Client and DMC shall be governed by the law of The Netherlands and any
disputes arising out of or in connection with the work carried out by DMC shall finally be settled by the
competent courts in The Hague.

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