Engineering-Driven Approach for the Structural Design of Geometrically Complex Modular Artificial Reefs

Over the years, artificial reefs with diverse forms and functions have become increasingly important in maritime engineering and ecosystem restoration plans, with socio-economic and ecological impacts on marine ecosystems. However, due to the increasing complexity of designs and durability requireme...

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Main Authors: Fábio Cruz, Isabel B. Valente, Dmytro Maslov, Tiago Miranda, Eduardo B. Pereira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/5907
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author Fábio Cruz
Isabel B. Valente
Dmytro Maslov
Tiago Miranda
Eduardo B. Pereira
author_facet Fábio Cruz
Isabel B. Valente
Dmytro Maslov
Tiago Miranda
Eduardo B. Pereira
author_sort Fábio Cruz
collection DOAJ
description Over the years, artificial reefs with diverse forms and functions have become increasingly important in maritime engineering and ecosystem restoration plans, with socio-economic and ecological impacts on marine ecosystems. However, due to the increasing complexity of designs and durability requirements, the current structural design approaches lack adequate documentation and standardization. This work addresses this challenge by detailing an engineering-driven approach for the structural design of artificial reef structures made of reinforced concrete or composite steel and concrete. This study establishes the premises for the structural design, followed by the quantification of actions based on standards and recommendations for marine structures. Hydrodynamic and numerical models were utilized to assess the effects of these actions on the structure. A cross-section organic design was then implemented, followed by a parametric study exploring various structural and material combinations for optimization. This study validates the developed design methodology combining hydrodynamic actions and strength analysis for complex modular artificial reef structures of 3 to 15 m size, specifically tailored for open waters. The results confirm the applicability and reliability of the developed design methodology, demonstrating its potential for guiding future numerical and experimental studies on modular artificial reef structures in open waters.
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issn 2076-3417
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series Applied Sciences
spelling doaj-art-4e1ff551b6e048cb8360c564681733802025-08-20T03:11:30ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-011511590710.3390/app15115907Engineering-Driven Approach for the Structural Design of Geometrically Complex Modular Artificial ReefsFábio Cruz0Isabel B. Valente1Dmytro Maslov2Tiago Miranda3Eduardo B. Pereira4Department of Civil Engineering, Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems (ARISE), Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S) and Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalDepartment of Civil Engineering, Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems (ARISE), Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S) and Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalDepartment of Civil Engineering, Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems (ARISE), Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S) and Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalDepartment of Civil Engineering, Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems (ARISE), Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S) and Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalDepartment of Civil Engineering, Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems (ARISE), Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S) and Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalOver the years, artificial reefs with diverse forms and functions have become increasingly important in maritime engineering and ecosystem restoration plans, with socio-economic and ecological impacts on marine ecosystems. However, due to the increasing complexity of designs and durability requirements, the current structural design approaches lack adequate documentation and standardization. This work addresses this challenge by detailing an engineering-driven approach for the structural design of artificial reef structures made of reinforced concrete or composite steel and concrete. This study establishes the premises for the structural design, followed by the quantification of actions based on standards and recommendations for marine structures. Hydrodynamic and numerical models were utilized to assess the effects of these actions on the structure. A cross-section organic design was then implemented, followed by a parametric study exploring various structural and material combinations for optimization. This study validates the developed design methodology combining hydrodynamic actions and strength analysis for complex modular artificial reef structures of 3 to 15 m size, specifically tailored for open waters. The results confirm the applicability and reliability of the developed design methodology, demonstrating its potential for guiding future numerical and experimental studies on modular artificial reef structures in open waters.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/5907modular multifunctional artificial reefstructural designcross-section analysisnumerical modelparametric studyoptimization
spellingShingle Fábio Cruz
Isabel B. Valente
Dmytro Maslov
Tiago Miranda
Eduardo B. Pereira
Engineering-Driven Approach for the Structural Design of Geometrically Complex Modular Artificial Reefs
Applied Sciences
modular multifunctional artificial reef
structural design
cross-section analysis
numerical model
parametric study
optimization
title Engineering-Driven Approach for the Structural Design of Geometrically Complex Modular Artificial Reefs
title_full Engineering-Driven Approach for the Structural Design of Geometrically Complex Modular Artificial Reefs
title_fullStr Engineering-Driven Approach for the Structural Design of Geometrically Complex Modular Artificial Reefs
title_full_unstemmed Engineering-Driven Approach for the Structural Design of Geometrically Complex Modular Artificial Reefs
title_short Engineering-Driven Approach for the Structural Design of Geometrically Complex Modular Artificial Reefs
title_sort engineering driven approach for the structural design of geometrically complex modular artificial reefs
topic modular multifunctional artificial reef
structural design
cross-section analysis
numerical model
parametric study
optimization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/5907
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AT dmytromaslov engineeringdrivenapproachforthestructuraldesignofgeometricallycomplexmodularartificialreefs
AT tiagomiranda engineeringdrivenapproachforthestructuraldesignofgeometricallycomplexmodularartificialreefs
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