Perfomance of Interlocking Concrete Block as Coastal Protection

Abstract

Coastal erosion, driven by wave action and rising sea levels, poses a significant threat to shorelines and infrastructure. This research evaluates the performance of Interlocking Concrete Blocks (ICBs) as a flexible and robust coastal protection structure. Unlike rigid structures like seawalls, interlocking systems are designed to be permeable and articulate, allowing them to absorb and dissipate wave energy more effectively. This study employs physical hydraulic modeling in a wave flume to analyze the stability and energy dissipation characteristics of a specific ICB armor unit under various wave conditions. Key performance parameters measured include the stability coefficient (KD), wave run-up, wave overtopping, and structural integrity under breaking wave impact. The results demonstrate that the interlocking mechanism provides exceptional hydraulic stability, preventing the displacement of individual units even under high-energy wave attack. The high porosity and complex surface of the ICB layer are also shown to be highly effective in dissipating wave energy, thereby reducing wave reflection and scour. This study concludes that interlocking concrete blocks are a high-performance and resilient alternative for coastal defense, offering significant advantages in stability and energy absorption compared to traditional riprap.