Development of New Artificial Reef Preventing Local Scouring by Controlling Shoreward Currents over Reef

Abstract

Since the artificial reef has a submerged shape near the sea surface, strong shoreward currents are generated over the crown in general. These shoreward currents return offshore as rip currents from the openings of the reef, causing significant local scouring. A new type of artificial reef was developed in this study, preventing the development of shoreward strong currents, rip currents and resulted local scouring on the basis of the hydraulic model tests. The new type of artificial reef has the crown close to the mean sea level, and the offshore slope is protected by concrete armor units to enhance the stability.