Internet Calculator Concept Design

April 3, 2016
 xbloc@xbloc.com Xbloc Calculator

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 -
2 Armour slope 3:4 -
3 Concrete density 2400 kg/m3
4 Water density 1030 kg/m3
5 HS 1 year 2 m
6 Design wave height 5 m
7 Seabed slope 2 %
8 Toe Level -10 m
9 Crest level 5 m
10 Seabed level at toe -11 m
11 Design high water level 2 m
12 Core permeability Quarry run with limited fines -

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 3.75 m3
2 Standard volume 4.00 m3
3 Unit mass 9.6 t
4 Unit height 2.29 m
5 Armour thickness 2.22 m
6 Concrete volume 0.92 m /m2
3

7 Rock grading under layer 0.3 - 1.0 t

8 Thickness under layer 1.3 m
9 Packing density 22.94 Xbloc/100m2
10 Number of rows 14 -

Table 3: Output values

Parameters 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
5 Core permeability 1
6 Armour slope 1
7 Applied factor 1.5

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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 xbloc@xbloc.com Xbloc Calculator

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:

[ ]3
HS V Xbloc volume [m3 ]
V = 2.77×∆ where:
HS Design significant wave height [m]
∆ Relative concrete desity (ρc − ρw )/ρw [-]
ρc Mass density of concrete [kg/m3 ]
ρw 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. There is a number of phenomena that require increase of the Xbloc
size. The phenomena and the correction factors on the unit weight are as follows:

Phenomenon Effect on Armour Stability Correction factor

Frequent occurrence
of near design wave event of a breakwater, can occur frequently during
height during lifetime
of the structure
The foreshore in front
of the structure is
steep
The structure is low
crested lower on the slope, where interlocking is increased
The water depth is
large
the armour layer, the stability of the armour layer is
The core permeability
is low
The armour slope is
less effective and as a consequence the stability is
mild (<1:1.5)
Rocking of units, which can occur for a small
percentage of the armour units during the design
1.25
the lifetime of the structure. Therefore rocking
should be carefully assessed during the physical
model tests.
1.1 (between 1:30 and 1:20)
A steep foreshore can lead to adverse wave 1.25 (between 1:20 and 1:15)
impact against the armour layer. 1.5 (between 1:15 and 1:10)
2.0 (greater than 1:10)
Armour units placed on the horizontal crest and 2 for relative freeboard
high on the slope are less stable than units placed (=freeboard divided by the design
wave height)< 0.5
by 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
order of 1.2 to 1.4. For breakwaters in the deep
1.5 for water depth > 2.5 x Hs
water, this ratio can be up to 1.8 -2. As the largest
2 for water depth > 3.5 x Hs
waves in the spectrum cause the largest loads on
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 armour layer. The permeability of 1.5 for low core permeability
the core depends on the materials used and the 2 for an impermeable core
distance at the water line between the armour
layer and the impermeable layer.
On a mild slope, the interlocking of armour units is
1.25 (slope milder than 2:3)
1.5 (slope milder than 1:2)
reduced.

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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 kg/m3 2350 - 2500
4 Water density kg/m3 1000 - 1050
5 HS 1 year m -
6 Design wave height m -
7 Seabed slope % 0 - 30
8 Toe level m Length of armour slope shall not
9 Crest level 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 impermeable
core requires larger Xblocs.

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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 Xbloc/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.
7) The 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

April 3, 2016 6/7

 xbloc@xbloc.com Xbloc Calculator

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 DMC’s 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 DMC’s advice.

• DMC shall not be liable for any direct and/or indirect or consequential damages or losses such as loss of rev-
enue, 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 advice carried out by the Xbloc Calculator of DMC shall finally be settled
by the competent courts in The Hague.

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