A new evolution on the wedge-shaped block for overtopping protection of embankment dams: the ACUÑA block

The article summarizes the research studies performed by the Research Group on Dam Safety (SERPA) of the Technical University of Madrid and the International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE) in collaboration with the company PREHORQUISA. Such studies aim to deepen on the theoretical and practical understanding of wedge shaped blocks (WSB) technology. This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the research projects called ACUNA (IPT-2011-0997-020000) and DIABLO (RTC-2014-2081-5). One of the projects goals was to develop a new model of WSB looking for improving the performance of the existing ones. This research led to the new model of WSB called ACUNA, proprietary in Spain since May 2017 (ES2595852). The paper presents a comparison between the behaviour of the new block with one of the existing models, specifically ArmorwedgeTM. Such comparison has been made using physical and numerical modelling, studying the hydrodynamic pressures on the block and the leakage flow through the joints between blocks and the aeration vents.