The ACCROPODE™ unit

This has been the benchmark single-layer armour unit since 1981. It has been deployed more than 200 times in 48 countries, in settings of all types. It is simple, robust, reliable and easy to fabricate using basic techniques. It can be adapted seamlessly to all types of structure. As is the case with all CLI armour units, it has a high stability coefficient derived from its shape as well as from the associated placing techniques. It can be used on structures of all types from coastal defences in shallow water to large breakwaters designed to protect ports or nuclear power plants. Last but not least, this is a technology with minimal maintenance costs since these structures are normally intended to withstand the design wave without sustaining damage.

Practical aspects of ACCROPODE™ units

1. A simple formwork principle based on:

Two steel symmetrical half-shells that are assembled for easy concrete casting through the top.
Simple fabrication, avoiding the need for leading-edge technologies.
A proven shape ensuring seamless stripping.

2. Concrete strength specifications that are simple and open to the continuous improvements being made to this technology.

3. The concrete used for ACCROPODE™ units is a simple mass concrete that is by its very essence less costly than the high-performance concretes. The specifications for producing this concrete are brief, to leave the project players free to choose the concrete characteristics best suited to their project.

As stated in the specifications, CLI has confirmed on the basis of experience that the following characteristic strength values give a safety factor that is sufficient for the construction phases and during the working life of the structure:

ACCROPODE™ & ACCROPODE™ II	Units ≤ 4 m³	5 m³≤ units ≤ 15 m³	Units > 15 m³
Concrete class required	C25/30	C30/35	C30/35
Tensile strength Fctm	2.5 MPa	3.0 MPa	3.0 MPa
Minimum strength for form stripping F_ck Cyl	6 MPa	7 MPa	10 MPa
Minimum strength for handling F_ck Cyl	15 MPa	20 MPa	25 MPa
Minimum strength for placing F_ck Cyl	25 MPa	30 MPa	30 MPa

4. Unit fabrication

Fabrication of ACCROPODE™ units is a simple process calling on methods that are either highly rudimentary or, conversely, highly sophisticated. With the traditional fabrication method, the following parameters are adopted:

Minimum area required to fabricate one unit: 1.5H² (where H = ACCROPODE™ unit height)
Fabrication of one unit per day and per mould. Depending on the methods used, this rate can be doubled to two units per day

5. Storage and handling

Forklifts can be used to transport the units
For some very large units, handling equipment such as cranes and slings will be required
Units can be stored on one or two levels depending on their size, on levelled ground with a sufficient bearing capacity
Minimum area required to store 10 units on one level: 8H² (where H = ACCROPODE™ unit height)

6. Unit placing

Each unit is placed in a random attitude to obtain the specified packing density, using GPS. The positioning principle is based on a predetermined grid aiming to achieve optimum keying of the units with a density close to the one shown on the placement drawings and allowing reliable QA/QC procedures to be followed.

Placement rate (using cable cranes) – monthly average

Unit size	Average placing time per unit
Small	5 to 8 mins
Medium	9 to 12 mins
Large	12 to 20 mins

Higher rates can be obtained using a “custom” method.

Using the ACCROPODE™ technology in association with technical assistance geared to the construction site makes it possible to:

Control and reduce the cost of building the facing, by using a well-proven technology.
Reduce environmental impacts by limiting the footprint of the structure.
Control and reduce the volumes of materials required, especially concrete.
Minimise risks and construction times, enabling the structure to be put into service more quickly.
Significantly reduce the costs of inspecting and maintaining the structure throughout its working life