Numerical Model Study of Prototype Drop Tests on Cube and Cubipod® Concrete Armor Units Using the Combined Finite–Discrete Element Method

This paper aims to evaluate the structural strength of unreinforced concrete armor units (CAU), named Cubipod(R), used on rubble-mound breakwaters and coastal structures, through a numerical methodology using the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM). A numerical modeling methodology is developed to reproduce the results of an experimental examination published by Medina et al. (2011) of a free-fall drop test performed on a 15 t conventional Cubic block and a 16 t Cubipod(R) unit. The field results of the Cube drop tests were used to calibrate the model. The numerically simulated response to the Cubipod(R) test is then discussed in the context of a validation study. The calibration process and validation study provide insights into the sensitivity of breakage to tensile strength and collision angle, as well as a better understanding of the crushing and cracking damage of this unit under drop test impact conditions.