A key facility for preventing coastal erosion is the tetrapod or breakwater. These structures are typically constructed parallel to the shoreline at a strategic distance from the coast.
Made from durable concrete with cylindrical arms, tetrapods or breakwaters play a vital role in not only preventing abrasion but also providing additional essential functions for coastal protection.
To learn more about tetrapods or breakwaters, read this article until the end!
What Is a Tetrapod or Breakwater?
A tetrapod or breakwater is a four-sided concrete structure that can absorb some of the energy of waves on the beach. The breakwater stones along the shore are usually interlocking and stacked.
The breakwater serves as a beach's artificial protection from scouring waves. This breakwater stone is included in precast concrete and has a number mounted on the tetrapod body.
The numbering can ease the observation and control changes in position due to all activities related to coastal protection. Building materials in tetrapods generally use concrete stones consisting of several layers.
These layers are the core, the first underlayer, and the main armor layer. The core generally consists of coarse excavated aggregate without fine particles derived from sand and dust.
Meanwhile, the first underlayer generally comes from single pieces of stone with varying weights, ranging from 500 kg to 1 ton. Another name for the underlayer is the filter layer, which serves to protect the core against material washout.
The primary armor layer generally uses large stones weighing 1-3 tons. Large, specially shaped concrete synthetic stones are sometimes used. This layer is the tetrapod or breakwater's primary defense against wave aggression.
Functions of Tetrapods or Breakwaters
In general, the primary function of a tetrapod is to protect the coast and prevent abrasion. However, there are other important functions as well. The following are some of the purposes of beach and ocean tetrapods or breakwaters:
1. Preventing Silting of River Estuaries
Silting of river estuaries can be caused by ocean waves that dampen the river flow. This condition can easily occur because the river estuary is directly connected to the sea. In this situation, tetrapods dampen the waves, which in turn helps the river flow smoothly.
2. Protecting the Beach Area
Low-wave sea conditions can hold the place for various activities and commercial needs in the coastal environment. For example, low-wave conditions at the port can ease the loading and unloading process or berthing of transportation vessels.
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3. Marine Structure Stabilization
These breakwater stones protect the integrity and stability of marine structures, such as dikes, harbors, and jetties. The tetrapods that hold back the waves reduce the risk of damage to nearby marine infrastructure.
4. Means of Beach Development
In some cases, construction workers use tetrapods to expand the area around a beach. These concrete breakwaters help divert water currents and reduce beach erosion. With reduced erosion, the land becomes safe for development activities.
5. Controlling Erosion
The next function of breakwaters is to control coastal erosion, which may destroy the coastal environment. Tetrapods can block the seawater that contains a strong load of sediment, effectively minimizing the rate of erosion.
Types of Breakwater Construction
There are two types of breakwaters, namely connected breakwaters and offshore breakwaters. Connected breakwater is usually used to protect the waters in the harbor.
Meanwhile, offshore breakwaters are commonly found on beaches as protection against erosion. In addition to these two types, there are three other types of breakwaters, as follows:
1. Low Water Breakwater
Based on its construction, this type of breakwater is made of small steps to large ones with a lower position. This makes it easier for port ships with high mobility to approach the coast without the risk of crashing into the breakwater.
2. Mound Breakwater
Wave-breaking stones consisting of rock debris of various weights and sizes are arranged to form a mound. This arrangement starts from the largest and heaviest at the bottom to the smallest piece of debris at the top. In addition to rubble, concrete blocks can also be used to construct the mound breakwater.
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3. Under Low-Water Breakwater
This type of breakwater is more material-efficient as it requires an extremely low-shaped mound. This formation suits shallow water areas because the waves hit the coast with less force.
That's some information about tetrapods or breakwaters, ranging from their definition, functions, and types. Although they look like ordinary beach rocks, they serve an important role in ensuring coastal safety.
This overview of tetrapods or breakwaters covers their definition, functions, and types. While they may resemble ordinary beach rocks, these structures are crucial for maintaining coastal safety and preventing erosion. To maximize their effectiveness in abrasion protection, it's essential to use premium materials.
Choosing the right construction materials is key to ensuring the durability and quality of your coastal protection projects. For this reason, make Semen Merah Putih your go-to choice for high-quality building materials.
As a trusted provider, Semen Merah Putih offers specially designed precast concrete solutions for various construction applications, including breakwaters, wall panels, beams, columns, and other structural elements. Our precast concrete is produced with strict quality control to guarantee optimal strength and durability.
If you're looking to accelerate construction timelines and reduce labor costs, precast concrete from Semen Merah Putih is the ideal solution. Contact us today to discover the best construction solutions for your project. We are ready to help you achieve success with our superior concrete products and services.
Contact us now to get the best construction solution for your project! We are ready to help you achieve project success with superior concrete products and services.
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