Study Of The New Breakwater Structure In Soft Foundation

The breakwater set on concrete cylinder caissons is something new and adaptable to be used on the soft foundation in deep water. It is essentially different from the conventional breakwater structures in the aspects of design philosophy, calculation and construction method. For the new structure, related researches, model tests, structure optimization and field tests have been carried out, so that a suit of structure design and construction methods have been established initially.It is featured with some characteristics of the gravity-type structures. In terms of horizontal slide-resistant stability, overturn-resistant stability, whole stability, foundation stress, etc., the calculations may be conducted in reference to those necessary for the gravity-type wharf and breakwater structures. Since the settlement of such structure is smaller than that of the conventional gravity-type structures, the consolidation finite element method may be adopted for the analysis.Air-floating transport, evacuated sinking and alignment are the professional means all necessary for the new structure construction, featured with such advantages as easy operation, less workboats, adequate sinking load, less energy and cost. It is for the first time to transport such large piece of structure by the air floating way both at home and abroad.The engineering tests show that the new breakwater structure is of good stability and less settlement, which may be widely spread and used in the Tianjin harbor areas.In comparasion of the structure options made for the approach channel extension project of Tianjin Port, it indicates that the new breakwater structure is obviously more cost-effective than other types of structure, saving above 20% construction cost.