Engineering design of artificial reefs

Presents information on the engineering design of artificial reefs. Topics discussed include the purposes and types of artificial reefs, structural classification, design considerations, materials for reef construction, and some recent examples of artificial reefs. The engineering design of artificial reefs requires an analysis of the stability of the reef structures, and a determination of the materials to be used to fabricate the reef units. The stability can be provided by the size and weight of the reef structures themselves, or by anchoring or mooring systems. Materials used for the construction of artificial reefs are either waste disposal materials, such as ships and concrete debris; or custom fabricated reef units, constructed of concrete, steel, composites, rocks, sand, geosynthetics, and combinations of these materials. The reef materials and shapes of the reef units, especially the surface areas and void spaces, can be custom designed to encourage population by selected marine species of plants and animals. Many countries, such as Japan, have been very active in the design, development, deployment and utilization of artificial reefs. The popularity and different beneficial uses of artificial reefs in the United States are now growing rapidly. Additional research and monitoring of these systems will assist in the development of improved designs and design criteria