EP0659940A1 - Floating breakwater having improved wave impact stability - Google Patents
Floating breakwater having improved wave impact stability Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0659940A1 EP0659940A1 EP94120341A EP94120341A EP0659940A1 EP 0659940 A1 EP0659940 A1 EP 0659940A1 EP 94120341 A EP94120341 A EP 94120341A EP 94120341 A EP94120341 A EP 94120341A EP 0659940 A1 EP0659940 A1 EP 0659940A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- floating
- caisson
- floating breakwater
- breakwater according
- breakwater
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013016 damping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000010355 oscillation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
- E02B3/00—Engineering works in connection with control or use of streams, rivers, coasts, or other marine sites; Sealings or joints for engineering works in general
- E02B3/04—Structures or apparatus for, or methods of, protecting banks, coasts, or harbours
- E02B3/06—Moles; Piers; Quays; Quay walls; Groynes; Breakwaters ; Wave dissipating walls; Quay equipment
- E02B3/062—Constructions floating in operational condition, e.g. breakwaters or wave dissipating walls
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a floating breakwater having improved wave impact stability.
- the aim of the invention is indeed to solve the drawbacks described above by providing a floating breakwater having improved wave impact stability that allows to reduce the rise of the breakwater in the presence of waves without however modifying its general buoyancy characteristics.
- a particular object of the invention is to provide a breakwater that can have four functions, namely floating breakwater, walkway, sheltered landing for watercraft, and occasional unsheltered landing in case of dead calm.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a breakwater that is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use by virtue of its particular constructive characteristics.
- a floating breakwater having improved wave impact stability which comprises a first floating barrier and a second floating barrier which lie longitudinally and are kept mutually spaced and joined by a framework provided with transverse elements, characterized in that said floating barriers comprise floating bodies that form an upper floating volume and a lower ballasting mass.
- the floating breakwater with improved wave impact stability comprises a first floating barrier 1 and a second floating barrier 2 that run longitudinally and are joined by a framework, generally designated by the reference numeral 3, which is provided with transverse stiffening elements.
- the overall structure is formed so as to have an appropriate transverse rigidity that allows to contrast the thrust of the waves and to dissipate their energy.
- the breakwater thus formed is anchored by means of sinkers 5 which are placed on the bed and are connected to the breakwater by means of conventional chains 6.
- the floating barriers 1 and 2 are provided by arranging floating bodies side by side; said bodies are generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and are constituted by an upper caisson 11 which forms an upper floating volume and by a lower caisson 12 that forms a lower ballasting mass.
- the upper floating volume formed by the internal surface of the upper caisson 11 is internally provided with masses 13 of single-cell foamed plastics that makes the assembly unsinkable, whereas the ballasting mass is simply provided by a mass of water 15 which can enter the region that lies between the upper caisson 11 and the lower caisson 12 by means of a hole 16 formed on the wall of the lower caisson 12.
- the coupling between the lower caisson and the upper caisson is provided by means of locking bolts 20 which mutually join the caissons 11 and 12 in the mutual coupling region.
- fenders 40 both on the sheltered side and on the unshelder side, allowing the mooring of watercraft.
- the materials employed may be any according to the requirements.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Revetment (AREA)
- Tires In General (AREA)
- Axle Suspensions And Sidecars For Cycles (AREA)
- Devices For Conveying Motion By Means Of Endless Flexible Members (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a floating breakwater having improved wave impact stability.
- It is known that floating breakwaters or seawalls are already available which in practice are constituted by a barrier that is submerged to a limited depth and has much longer oscillation periods than the force-applying actions, so that the kinetic energy of the waves is dissipated.
- In conventional floating breakwaters it has been observed that the floating barrier can, in case of a more prolonged wave motion, tend to follow the rise of the wave, consequently being less effective in dissipating the kinetic energy of the waves.
- Another drawback that can be ascribed to the solutions proposed by the prior art is also constituted by fact that conventional breakwaters have a single function and do not allow to use them as a floating wharf or as a walkway.
- The aim of the invention is indeed to solve the drawbacks described above by providing a floating breakwater having improved wave impact stability that allows to reduce the rise of the breakwater in the presence of waves without however modifying its general buoyancy characteristics.
- Within the scope of this aim, a particular object of the invention is to provide a breakwater that can have four functions, namely floating breakwater, walkway, sheltered landing for watercraft, and occasional unsheltered landing in case of dead calm.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a breakwater that is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use by virtue of its particular constructive characteristics.
- This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a floating breakwater having improved wave impact stability, according to the invention, which comprises a first floating barrier and a second floating barrier which lie longitudinally and are kept mutually spaced and joined by a framework provided with transverse elements, characterized in that said floating barriers comprise floating bodies that form an upper floating volume and a lower ballasting mass.
- Further characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a floating breakwater, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
- figure 1 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the breakwater with the corresponding anchoring sinkers;
- figure 2 is a view of the breakwater, taken from a side end face, illustrating the anchoring sinkers;
- figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the breakwater;
- figure 4 is a schematic view of the breakwater, illustrating the damping of wave motion;
- figure 5 is an elevation view of a floating body;
- figure 6 is a sectional view of the floating body;
- figure 7 is an enlarged-scale view of a detail of the floating body, illustrating the coupling between the two components;
- figure 8 is a schematic view of a floating breakwater arranged so as to protect a small harbour.
- With reference to the above figures, the floating breakwater with improved wave impact stability, according to the invention, comprises a first floating
barrier 1 and a second floatingbarrier 2 that run longitudinally and are joined by a framework, generally designated by thereference numeral 3, which is provided with transverse stiffening elements. - The overall structure is formed so as to have an appropriate transverse rigidity that allows to contrast the thrust of the waves and to dissipate their energy.
- The breakwater thus formed is anchored by means of
sinkers 5 which are placed on the bed and are connected to the breakwater by means ofconventional chains 6. - An important particularity of the invention is constituted by the fact that the floating
barriers reference numeral 10 and are constituted by anupper caisson 11 which forms an upper floating volume and by alower caisson 12 that forms a lower ballasting mass. - More specifically, the upper floating volume formed by the internal surface of the
upper caisson 11 is internally provided withmasses 13 of single-cell foamed plastics that makes the assembly unsinkable, whereas the ballasting mass is simply provided by a mass ofwater 15 which can enter the region that lies between theupper caisson 11 and thelower caisson 12 by means of ahole 16 formed on the wall of thelower caisson 12. - This way of providing the ballasting mass is particularly important, since the mass of water contained in the
lower caisson 12 in practice does not modify the buoyancy characteristics of the assembly in normal conditions, whereas it instead constitutes a ballast in the presence of waves, since it prevents the free rise of the wharf and accordingly creates a stronger impact with the waves, consequently dissipating the kinetic energy of the waves more effectively. - The coupling between the lower caisson and the upper caisson is provided by means of locking
bolts 20 which mutually join thecaissons - At the upper edge of the
caisson 11 there is also aclosing profile 30 that allows to fix awalking surface 31 that makes the breakwater walkable. - It should be added to the above that it is optionally possible to provide fenders 40 both on the sheltered side and on the unshelder side, allowing the mooring of watercraft.
- From the above description it is thus evident that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, and in particular the fact is stressed that a floating breakwater is provided which is considerably more effective both in view of its greater overall functionality and because of the fact that at each floating body there is provided a ballasting mass that significantly increases the stability of the assembly and reduces the rise of the floating barrier when it is struck by waves, consequently achieving a better dissipation of the kinetic energy.
- The floating breakwater according to the invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.
- In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements.
- Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
Claims (7)
- Floating breakwater having improved wave impact stability comprising a first floating barrier and a second floating barrier which lie longitudinally and are kept mutually spaced and joined by a framework provided with transverse elements, characterized in that said floating barriers comprise floating bodies that form an upper floating volume and a lower ballasting mass.
- Floating breakwater according to claim 1, characterized in that each floating body comprises an upper caisson and a lower caisson which are inserted into one another and respectively form said upper volume and the region for containing said lower ballasting mass.
- Floating breakwater according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises masses of single-cell foamed plastics in said upper caisson.
- Floating breakwater according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a chamber is formed between said upper caisson and said lower caisson, said chamber being connected to the outside by means of a hole formed on the wall of said lower caisson, and in that the water that forms said lower ballasting mass can be introduced in said chamber.
- Floating breakwater according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said upper caisson and said lower caisson are mutually joined by locking bolts in the coupling region.
- Floating breakwater according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, at the upper edge of said caissons, profiled elements for retaining a covering that forms a walkable surface.
- Floating breakwater according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, on the sheltered side and on the unsheltered side, fenders for the mooring of watercraft.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT93MI002692A IT1265316B1 (en) | 1993-12-21 | 1993-12-21 | FLOATING BREAK STRUCTURE WITH INCREASED STABILITY TO THE IMPACT OF WAVE MOTION. |
ITMI932692 | 1993-12-21 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0659940A1 true EP0659940A1 (en) | 1995-06-28 |
EP0659940B1 EP0659940B1 (en) | 2000-04-19 |
Family
ID=11367375
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP94120341A Expired - Lifetime EP0659940B1 (en) | 1993-12-21 | 1994-12-21 | Floating breakwater having improved wave impact stability |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0659940B1 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1265316B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NZ556484A (en) * | 2007-07-11 | 2010-03-26 | Mariteq Holdings Ltd | A floating access way and its method of construction |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2222750A1 (en) * | 1971-05-24 | 1972-11-30 | Koppers Co Inc | Component for a floating dock |
US3991576A (en) * | 1972-09-19 | 1976-11-16 | Bridgestone Tire Company Limited | Floating breakwater |
GB2065569A (en) * | 1979-12-05 | 1981-07-01 | Harris A J | Floating breakwaters |
US4406564A (en) * | 1981-08-03 | 1983-09-27 | Hanson Raymond A | Breakwater |
-
1993
- 1993-12-21 IT IT93MI002692A patent/IT1265316B1/en active IP Right Grant
-
1994
- 1994-12-21 EP EP94120341A patent/EP0659940B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2222750A1 (en) * | 1971-05-24 | 1972-11-30 | Koppers Co Inc | Component for a floating dock |
US3991576A (en) * | 1972-09-19 | 1976-11-16 | Bridgestone Tire Company Limited | Floating breakwater |
GB2065569A (en) * | 1979-12-05 | 1981-07-01 | Harris A J | Floating breakwaters |
US4406564A (en) * | 1981-08-03 | 1983-09-27 | Hanson Raymond A | Breakwater |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0659940B1 (en) | 2000-04-19 |
ITMI932692A0 (en) | 1993-12-21 |
ITMI932692A1 (en) | 1995-06-21 |
IT1265316B1 (en) | 1996-10-31 |
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