Breakwater constructions with heavy concrete

Concrete sea walls with MagnaDense

Contractors and designers within the coastal protection area meet many challenging situations. Specifications often outline sustainable constructions with highly aesthetically pleasing designs required. It is essential to use both technical solutions and materials that withstand long-term exposure to impact from harsh environmental conditions. Our natural heavyweight aggregate MagnaDense is a perfect solution in these cases. With MagnaDense it is possible to make high density concrete with densities up to 4.0 t/m3.

Rubble mound breakwaters with high-density concrete

In the design of rubble mound breakwaters which are used to protect the coast, the stability of armour layers is one of the most critical aspects. By using high density concrete in armour layers, you can achieve a reduction of the required edge length of cubes with a factor 2. As a consequence, this reduction means that the volume of the cube goes down by a factor 8!

Different breakwater types

The industry uses high density concrete in coastal concrete blocks of various types, including:

• Cubes
• Tetrapod sea wall blocks
• Accropod sea wall blocks
• Core-loc^TM sea wall blocks

All breakwater types benefit from the addition of high density MagnaDense in the coastal defence method. In the video, based on research, you will see a detailed explanation of heavy, dense concrete blocks for erosion protection.

LKAB Minerals can confidently state the primary benefits of using MagnaDense in coastal protection blocks as:

• more weight per volume; keeping blocks of same dimensions in place better
• easy to produce, place and construct
• less concrete required
• smaller blocks are easier to handle

Influences on sea defence

When protecting the coastline with high density concrete blocks from both external and internal forces, the success of these coastal defence concrete blocks depends on:

• wave climate
• slope angle
• the density of block material
• size of the block
• depth of the sea

If you take these characteristics into account, it is possible to achieve a significant reduction in the amount of concrete you need. Also, you will save space by incorporating MagnaDense into coastal defence concrete blocks.

Riverbank and riverbed erosion protection

Our customers also use LKAB Minerals MagnaDense in smaller elements to cover and protect riverbanks. The use of our material increases stability without changing the shape and size of the element.

An example of a project that was conducted using MagnaDense is the River Witham riverbed stabilisation for which we have written an extensive online article.

Availability of MagnaDense for coastal defence and erosion projects

MagnaDense is an inert natural mineral which does not react or corrode in contact with water. We mine the aggregate from our groups’ resources in Kiruna in Northern Sweden. MagnaDense is harmless to the environment, non-toxic in all its forms and environmentally friendly as well. The latter is hugely important in the natural environments where we need our sea defences.

LKAB Minerals have provided products for several coastal and erosion protection projects. With global stock locations and owned mines in the northern part of Sweden, we can ensure that we will always be able to supply a high-quality, dense aggregate enabling your concrete block, accropod, tetrapod or Core-loc^TM production at your location, year-round.

Would you like more information on our MagnaDense aggregates? Please contact your regional sales manager today!