Structure design and stability of the equilateral triangle artificial reef

Abstract:

Based on the triangle artificial reef that was deployed in the project of reef construction at Xiaoshidao by Weihaixigang Aquatic Products Company, an equilateral triangle artificial reef was designed in the present study. The side length, width, weight of this artificial reef is 3.3 m, 2 m and 8.1 t, respectively. According to the wave and current condition at Shandong Province, 5 current velocities and 8 wave conditions were set. The maximum force, coefficient of maximum static friction, coefficient of anti-rolling, and coefficient of anti-slide at different test conditions were calculated. With the increment of wave period and wave height, the maximum forces acting on the reef increased. The maximum forces also increased gradually with the increase of current velocity; and the relationship between maximum force and velocity was expressed as Fmax=4.146v2. The results of stability calibration showed that the reef slided when the water depth reached 15 m and the wave height reached 6 m. The reef kept stable on the sea floor in which the water depth is 15 m and the current velocity is 1 m/s. To validate the calculation results, an observation test of the stability of this reef was carried out. The results of the observation test and those from calculation matched. The stability of the equilateral triangle artificial reef met the requirement and it is suitable to use in Shandong.