ASSISTANCE FOR THE ACCROPODE™
PRESENTATION OF THE ACCROPODE™
The ACCROPODE ™ block was patented in 1980:
The ACCROPODE ™ block has revolutionized the construction techniques for breakwater construction. It is, in our opinion, based on more than twenty years of construction and dike expertise, the most robust and reliable of all single-layer armor blocks and the one offering the best value for money.
ACCROPODE ™ LEGAL SITUATION
ACCROPODE ™ was patented over twenty years ago.
The ACCROPODE ™ has fallen into the public domain.
INSTALLING THE ACCROPODE ™ BLOCK
Contacts with lower row ACCROPODE ™ must be established with solid support. The main obstacle to this good interlocking is due to the hooking of the ACCROPODE ™ on the riprap of the underlayer which stops the movement down of the block. The only way to get over this constant problem is to visually ensure that the block is in its final interlocking position. In about 40% of cases, a natural installation will lead to poor interlocking and the ACCROPODE ™ thus installed will still have the possibility of further descending under the action of its weight and / or the sea.
Changing the orientation of the blocks does not eliminate this problem. Only a visual inspection of each block when it is adjusted between the two ACCROPODE ™ of the lower row allows this, subject to mastering the principle of interlocking and the inspection procedures.
Appearance of a correctly placed ACCROPODE ™ armour :
The supports with the lower row are well established. There are no contact defaults.
Underwater, there is still a strong interlocking of the blocks with firm support on the ACCROPODE ™ of the lower row and strong locking by the ACCROPODE ™ of the upper row.
On and underwater the orientations of the blocks are varied. No ACCROPODE ™ can descend or oscillate. There are no holes. There is no out off-profile ACCROPODE ™.
MOST COMMON INSTALLATION FAULTS
ACCROPODE™ out of profile
Possible origin
Fault in the underlayer, insufficient training of installation teams, installation error, ineffective installation control.
Risk
An ACCROPODE™ out of profile can be extracted by a strong swell. In its fall it risks breaking the ACCROPODE™ underneath and its extraction will cause a large hole. A single out-of-profile ACCROPODE™ that is extracted can initiate a breakdown of the part of the armour in the area concerned and lead to major disorder.
Required action
Dismantle the area and replace the ACCROPODE™ correctly. If the origin of the non-compliance is a defect in the underlayer, the underlayer must be adjusted before replacing the ACCROPODE™.
ACCROPODE™ mounted in columns
Column mounting is not indicated as a non-conformity in the technical reference published by the license seller. The reference system mentions compliance with the diamond mesh and tolerates occasional deviations. However, we have found that mounting ACCROPODE™ in columns produces movement and breakage and must be rectified. That's why we mention it.
Possible origin
The technical reference of the license seller authorizes the occasional non-compliance with the placing mesh and this favors the appearance of this type of problem. However, it is also indicated that the ACCROPODE™ must be interlocked together and not have freedom of movement. The assembly in columns of ACCROPODE™ which have freedom of movement is attributable to the insufficient training of the installation teams, an error in installation, ineffective control of the installation.
Risk
ACCROPODE™ mounted in columns are generally unstable and do not have good support with the lower row. They are generally not correctly blocked by the ACCROPODE™ of the higher rank. They will move and probably break. If they break the area will start to unravel and will need to be rebuilt.
Required action
Normally the area mounted in columns should be dismantled and these ACCROPODE™ correctly positioned respecting the placing mesh. CLAS has the know-how that makes it possible to resolve this type of non-conformity without dismantling the ACCROPODE™ above, in the majority of cases.
ACCROPODE™ poorly interlocked
Possible origin
A badly interlocked ACCROPODE™ has generally remained attached to a rockfill on the slope and has not descended into its final position. This concerns about 40% of ACCROPODE™ placed "naturally" on the target position. The cause is attributable to the insufficient training of the installation teams, an error in installation, ineffective control of the installation.
Risk
Badly interlocked ACCROPODE™ are unstable and do not have the right supports between them. They will move and probably break. If they break the area will start to unravel and will need to be rebuilt.
Required action
Normally the area should be dismantled and these ACCROPODE™ correctly positioned, respecting the placing mesh and the strong supports with the ACCROPODE™ of the lower row. CLAS has know-how that allows this type of non-conformity to be resolved without dismantling the ACCROPODE™ above in the majority of cases.
ACCROPODE™ broken
Possible origin
The quality of the concrete should be checked first. If the quality of the concrete is not in question, the origin is then linked to movement of the ACCROPODE™ due to poor interlocking during installation. The cause is then attributable to the insufficient training of the installation teams, an error in installation, ineffective control of the installation.
Risk
When the broken ACCROPODE™ no longer participate effectively in the interlocking, the area begins to unravel and will have to be rebuilt.
Required action
The action required depends on the position of the broken ACCROPODE™. For example, an ACCROPODE™ in the first row which has been broken by riprap on the toe mount protection, but which is firmly blocked, must not be replaced. If the broken ACCROPODE™ is in the middle of the armour and no longer participates in the nesting of the zone, the zone must then be dismantled and the broken ACCROPODE™ replaced.
Hole
Possible origin
Insufficient training of installation teams, installation error, ineffective installation control.
Risk
The armourstones of the underlayer that we see can be split and extracted. The area risks moving, causing the ACCROPODE™ to break, which will then begin to unravel the armour.
Required action
It depends on the position of the hole. An isolated hole in an otherwise properly constructed area can be plugged using a bag of concrete, for example, provided that once placed the bag of concrete cannot be extracted. If this is not possible, or if the hole is close to the surface, the area must be dismantled and the ACCROPODE™ reinstalled correctly.
ACCROPODE™ placed with the nose on the slope only
Possible origin
Insufficient training of installation teams, installation error, ineffective installation control.
Risk
This type of positioning can cause movement and therefore breakage of ACCROPODE™. The breakage of ACCROPODE™ initiates the progressive unraveling of the shell.
Required action
Generally, the area must be dismantled and the ACCROPODE™ reinstalled. CLAS has the know-how that makes it possible to adjust this type of non-conformity without dismantling in the majority of cases.
ACCROPODE™ placed anvil against anvil
Possible origin
Insufficient training of installation teams, installation error, ineffective installation control.
Risk
This type of positioning creates a hard point and blocks the micro adjustments that are sometimes necessary. We can see on this image that the zone presents imbrication faults which initiate the progressive unraveling of the armour.
Required action
Generally, the area must be dismantled and the ACCROPODE™ reinstalled. CLAS has the know-how that makes it possible to adjust this type of non-conformity without dismantling, in the majority of cases.
Other installation defects exist, which are less common and will be explained to you by our inspectors.
INSTALLATION SPEED WITH ACCROPODE™
The placing rate depends on the following factors:
Block size: The bigger the block, the more difficult it is to move and the more likely it is to break in the event of an impact.
Placing machines: The hydraulic excavator allows a quite double placing rate compared to the cable crane, but its use is limited by the size of the blocks and to distance to place it.
Quality of the underlay: an underlayer that does not respect the tolerances and has significant roughness will slow down the installation and limit the possibilities of interlocking the blocks.
Quality of the training of the installation team: good theoretical and practical training which includes training in safety, the ACCROPODE™ technique and the gradual increase in the rate of installation, lasts approximately one month. It is not just training, it is an apprenticeship that obeys pedagogical rules and a progression that can only be taught by construction professionals.
Visibility: good visibility will facilitate visual inspection operations. The operator must be able to see the armour from the front, perpendicular to the surface of the slope, and receive information on the points of contact with the ACCROPODE™ of the lower row and with the slope. Only a diver can properly carry out these checks. In clear water it is very fast, in dirty water it is longer and requires extensive learning, especially in safety.
Installation tools used: There are three ways to install:
1 Divers, this is the fastest and most reliable system.
The seller of the ACCROPODE™ license recently wrote about this:
“A control by diver or camera allowing to see the interweaving of each block is necessary. It is essential that these checks take place regularly, several times a day if necessary. »
“Divers with cameras allow better nesting than any other system. »
Divers link.
2 The POSIBLOC™ is the system that we consider the slowest and the least reliable because it is based on the theoretical position of the block in x,y,z and not on the interlocking, which is contrary the installation rules, which favor the interlocking without tolerance limits in relation to the target. On the other hand, the system shows a virtual image to the operator which is often different from reality, due to the inaccuracy of the system.
The software uses colors to indicate to the operator whether the block is on target or not. The operator is trained to pose according to the correct interlocking and not according to the target. He will therefore rely on the contacts shown by the software, while trying to respect the colors. Unfortunately the imprecision of the system does not allow to have a reliable representation of reality:
The blocks are in contact on the image provided by the software, they are not in reality.
Conversely here the blocks are not in contact on the image and are in reality.
POSIBLOC™ link
3 The ECOSCOPE is an acoustic system which increases the rate of installation in dirty water but cannot dispense with diver control, because once the block is placed, the image does not allow not to appreciate the quality of the contacts with the ACCROPODE™ of the lower row, nor the interlocking and installation faults.
The ECOSCOPE can also show holes and interlocking defects that do not exist. This is due to artifacts that can often appear with acoustic tools like ECOSCOPE or multibeam sonar.
Quality and frequency of installation checks: The longer the frequency of checks is delayed, the more one is exposed to major dismantling which will heavily penalize production. There is no point in giving yourself the means to install 10 ACCROPODE™ per hour if you have to dismantle 50% of them at the end of the day.
More than the hourly rate of installation, it is the frequency and the quality of the checks that will make it possible to achieve the production objectives. Very close controls, by divers, will make it possible to eliminate dismantling by limiting the processing of installation defects to real-time adjustments.
On the contrary, a multibeam sonar inspection after the installation of several rows will not allow all the installation defects to be seen and will require significant dismantling in the event of additional inspection by divers. In the event that only the multibeam is implemented, the quality of the construction cannot be certified in CLASS A. The durability of the structure cannot be guaranteed.
The average production in cable crane installation with divers trained by CLAS is 6 to 8 ACCROPODE™ per hour, approved.
The average production in hydraulic shovel installation with divers trained by CLAS is 12 to 15 ACCROPODE™ per hour, approved.
These statistics from site data include occasional dismantling.
2000 Port d’Argeles France
350 ACCROPODE™ of 6 m3.
930 ACCROPODE™ of 4m3.
The ACCROPODE™ armour protection started to be damaged before the end of construction.
Eric SKIERNIEWSKI was the legal expert designed by the Tribunal Administratif of Montpellier with mission:
Establish the cause of the damages.
Establish the cost of repairs.
The expert report made it possible to determine the causes of the damages and assess the cost of repairs.
2003 ZIFMAR BREAKWATER SETE FRANCE
2 200 ACCROPODE™ of 4 m3
The ZIFMAR breakwater shown important damages before the reception of the construction.
Eric SKIERNIEWSKI was the legal expert designed by the Tribunal Administratif of
Montpellier with mission:
Establish the cause of the damages.
Establish the cost of repairs.
The expert report made it possible to determine the causes of the damages and assess
the cost of repairs.
2007 DUNG QUAT VIETNAM
5 500 ACCROPODE™ of 2 m3.
3 900 ACCROPODE™ of 4 m3.
6 200 ACCROPODE™ of 6,3 m3.
4 700 ACCROPODE™ of 9 m3.
1 000 ACCROPODE™ of 12 m3.
The VAN OORD company was falling behind on this project and exposed itself to penalties.
VAN OORD called on IDMER, now CLAS, to achieve quality and production objectives.
IDMer acted as an independent consultant with the following mission:
Train and supervise ACCROPODETM installation teams.
Train the construction site management.
Train all staff in specific ACCROPODE™ safety.
Ensure the interface with SOGREAH and the client representative.
Optimize production.
Optimize quality.
WHAT VAN OORD SAID ABOUT US
2009 RAS LAFFAN QATAR
The RLNBC and CFE QATAR companies saw the installation of ACCROPODE™ refused. RLNBC had chosen to use the ECHOSCOPE and CFE QATAR used the POSIBLOC™.
RLNBC called on IDMer, now CLAS, to assist it.
18,000 ACCROPODE™ of 3 m3.
16,500 ACCROPODE ™ of 4 m3.
1,500 ACCROPODE™ of 5 m3.
IDMer acted as an independent consultant with the following mission:
Train installation teams.
Achieve quality and production objectives by associating ECHOSCOPE and divers. RAS LAFFAN is the first project on which the ECHOSCOPE was implemented to install ACCROPODE™.
We trained the installation teams in the simultaneous use of divers and ECHOSCOPE.
What RLNBC said about us
Link reference RAS LAFFAN RLNBC
CFE QATAR seeing the progress made at RLNBC also called on IDMer, now CLAS. We tried to use the POSIBLOC™ system but we failed, it did not give the expected results and was abandoned. We have trained and supervised teams of divers.
5.300 ACCROPODE™ of 3 m3.
30.000 ACCROPODE™ of 4 m3.
3.100 ACCROPODE™ of 5 m3.
What CFE QATAR said about us
2010 KHALIFA PORT ABU DHABI
220,000 ACCROPODE™ from 0.8 to 2 m3.
The Archirodon company saw the installation of the ACCROPODE™ refused. ARCHIRODON engineers attempted to use the POSIBLOC™ system which did not work as expected and was abandoned.
Archirodon was exposed to late penalties and called on IDMer, now CLAS, to assist it
IDMer acted as an independent consultant with the following mission:
Train installation teams.
Achieve quality and production targets.
Set up and carry out quality certification.
The operation was a resounding success for ARCHIRODON
2012 MARINA LIMASSOL CHIPRE
10 400 ACCROPODE™ de 2 à 5 m3.
IDMer devenue CLAS a été engagée en qualité d’agent SOGREAH pour une mission de suivi en cours de chantier.
Visite du projet, inspection des ACCROPODE™ posés.
Formation de l’équipe de pose.
Rapport à l’attention de SOGREAH.
2014 ZIRKU ISLAND ABU DHABI
2850 ACCROPODE™ of 1,5 m3.
5032 ACCROPODE™ of 2,2 m3.
The ARCHIRODON company had to build the breakwater of the new port on the island of ZIRKU. The client ADMA-OPCO required quality certification and ARCHIRON was falling behind on this project. ARCHIRODON called on CLAS for assistance.
Train installation teams.
Implement certification procedures.
Achieve quality and production targets.
What ARCHIRODON said about us
.JPG)
Linkréférence ZIRKU Construction
Link reference ZIRKU Certification
2017-2020 EASTERN MARINA BEIRUT
2457 ACCROPODE™ of 12 m3.
The SOLIDERE company had to build the NEW MARINA of BEIRUT. SOLIDERE entrusted the design work to DAR and the construction to ARACO. SOLIDERE has entrusted CLAS with a contract for the supervision of all the works and a quality certification.
MISSION:
Implement certification procedures.
Achieve quality and production targets.
The ACCROPODE™ shells suffered from the storm Loulou which caused a swell close to the project swell and the explosion of the port of Beirut which caused a seismic effect.
The joint expertise carried out after this explosion confirmed that there was no effect on the works.
No broken, destabilized or extracted ACCROPODE™.
The works have been certified “CLASS A BREAKWATERS”.
COMMENTS FROM SOLIDERE
