About us

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The concern

Take control of your breakwater

In ports, rubble-mound breakwaters with a single artificial armor layer protect the navigation area and are therefore highly exposed to waves. To ensure the stability of the structure, the revetment concrete units must be installed according to precise interlocking rules that must be monitored during the progress of the project. Moreover, concrete armour units can degrade or shift during the life of the structure. If damages are not spotted in time, this can require major repair costs as well as a halt in port operation, leading to significant revenue losses for the operator.

Generating a digital 3D model of the revetment during construction allows for quick and objective control of the block interlocking quality as work progresses. This avoids costly block removal and reinstallation operations for the company. The digital twin of the structure thus serves as a unique reference shared by all project stakeholders until delivery.

During the active life of the structure, the manager can then, based on the updated 3D model, closely monitor the evolution of the armor layer over time to anticipate any need for preventive maintenance.

The process

Steps of 3D modeling

1. Point Cloud Data Collection

Firstly, a point cloud is collected using remote sensing techniques such as photogrammetry or airborne LiDAR, and multibeam bathymetry underwater. This step involves capturing thousands of individual points that reflect the topography of the visible surface of the revetment. Mastering this step is crucial as the precision and quality of the model directly depend on the quality of the initial point cloud.

2. Automatic Block Identification

Using the cleaned point cloud data, our artificial intelligence algorithm coupled with a statistical tool enables automatic identification of the position and orientation of the characteristic shape of the blocks within the point cloud. This allows for modeling several hundred blocks per minute, a task that would take hours with manual processing

3. Assembly of the armour layer

After identification, the blocks are virtually assembled to form the revetment of the breakwater. This step requires manual adjustments and expertise to ensure that the modeling accurately reflects the actual structure.

4. Rendering and Visualization

Finally, the 3D model is rendered using dedicated 3D visualization software. This enables engineers and decision-makers to see the structure in three dimensions, facilitating the understanding and communication of the breakwater's characteristics.

5. Analysis and Optimization

The obtained 3D model can then be used to analyze nesting and stability criteria. It can also be used to plan repairs.

Expertise

Our Team

We are proud to bring together a team of experts dedicated to revolutionizing armour layer control for rubble-mound breakwater through cutting-edge technologies. Our mission is to provide precise, reliable, and innovative solutions for 3D modeling from point clouds, harnessing the power of machine learning algorithms. Here are the pillars of our expertise:

Maritime Engineers

The expertise of our maritime engineers is essential for understanding the specific challenges related to the protection and monitoring of rubble-mound breakwaters, ensuring that our solutions are not only technologically advanced but also perfectly tailored to the industry's needs.

Specialized Hydrographers

With their unique expertise in breakwater mapping, our surveyors provide essential data for our 3D modeling algorithms. They conduct field surveys, provide consultancy services, and carry out on-site installations and training for our clients.

Computer Engineers

Our major asset lies in our team of engineers specialized in computer vision and software development. They design and develop our cutting-edge software and algorithms in-house, embodying our commitment to innovation and technological autonomy. Their work transforms complex point clouds into accurate 3D models, providing a solid foundation for analysis and decision-making.

We firmly believe that innovation is the key to addressing current and future challenges in coastal infrastructure management. By combining our expertise in coastal engineering, hydrography, computer vision, and software development, we are able to offer innovative breakwater control solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of our clients. Our commitment to internal research and development ensures that our partners benefit from the latest technological advancements to optimize their infrastructure.