Xbloc
Xbloc is DMC's first breakwater armour unit and since its introduction to the market 20 years ago over 500.000 blocks have been successfully placed around the world.
The main advantages of Xbloc are:
- Robust and durable with a long, successful track record;
- Low concrete consumption and CO2 footprint compared to other armour units (same as XblocPlus);
- Adaptability to various site conditions: rocky sea bottoms, sharp curves and roundheads.
The Xbloc system is based on randomly placed, interlocking concrete armour units. It has been applied successfully in breakwaters and shore protection projects on 6 continents in block sizes ranging between 1.8 and 40 ton. A track record of the Xbloc projects can be found here.
The Xbloc system is based on randomly placed, interlocking concrete armour units. It has been applied successfully in breakwaters and shore protection projects on 6 continents in block sizes ranging between 1.8 and 40 ton. A track record of the Xbloc projects can be found here.
The Xbloc has a high hydraulic stability (stability coefficient of KD = 16), requires a simple mould to be cast, is easy to handle and to place and very robust.
Xbloc has been developed with ease of placement as the main objective. Due to its symmetrical shape, the units interlock on all sides and as a result, less configuration rules apply compared to many other-single layer block solutions. Besides, Xbloc placement is typically faster.
Due to their angular shape, the Xbloc units interlock very efficiently which guarantees the high hydraulic stability. The form of the block lends itself to high porosity which in turn reduces wave overtopping (roughness coefficient 0.44). High porosity also results in a reduced concrete consumption. This has made Xbloc the most economic armour unit in the market until the introduction of XblocPlus.
Xbloc units on the slope of a breakwater during construction
