Stability of composite-type breakwaters reinforced by rubble embankment

Details of the failure characteristics of composite-type breakwaters reinforced by rubble have not been clarified, including the prehension of some failure modes and the conditions that cause each mode. In this study, details of the failure characteristics and a performance assessment method were studied using two approaches, namely, centrifuge model tests and a circular slip analysis. The model tests showed that sliding failure could occur when the friction between the mound and the caisson was low, the caisson was wide, and the reinforcing embankment was high and/or wide. In contrary cases, bearing capacity failure was liable to occur. Basically, the larger the reinforcing embankment size, the greater the strength and stiffness. The performance assessment using a circular slip analysis and considering failure modes was verified through discussions. The analysis resulted in the underestimation of the stability of the reinforced breakwaters when the rubble was angular. However, the caisson moved to a certain degree even with a relatively lower load and the displacement reached that which is allowable by the structure. Consequently, a circular slip analysis was deemed suitable for evaluating the performance of reinforced breakwaters. (C) 2020 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The Japanese Geotechnical Society.