Independent Expertise for Breakwaters and Artificial Concrete Armour Units
CLAS: independent expertise in the construction and certification of maritime breakwaters for over 30 years.
At CLAS (Concrete Layer Assistance & Survey), our values are at the heart of our commitment to project owners, maritime construction companies and stakeholders in coastal protection.
We believe that a high-quality maritime structure is based on three essential foundations: technical competence, transparency of controls, and independence of the parties involved.
For more than thirty years, CLAS experts have supported the construction, installation and certification of maritime breakwaters, ensuring operational safety, long-term durability of structures, and structural compliance of artificial concrete armour layers.
Field Expertise and Breakwater Construction Assistance
CLAS intervenes directly on site to support the installation of maritime breakwaters built with artificial concrete blocks, from the initial placement phases through to completion of the armour layers.
Assistance missions include:
control of the geometry of the structures,
verification of block stability,
supervision of critical installation phases,
validation of the compliance of armour layers with good engineering practice.
This permanent on-site presence helps prevent defects, optimize execution quality, and ensure the durability of structures exposed to wave action.
Independent Certification of Maritime Structures Built with Artificial Concrete Blocks
CLAS carries out technical certification missions for maritime breakwaters, based on objective, measurable and documented criteria.
CLAS certifications notably cover:
the hydraulic stability of armour layers,
the accuracy of block placement,
the structural compliance of the structures,
the long-term durability of maritime breakwaters.
Inspection and certification activities are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the international ISO/IEC 17020 standard, ensuring the independence, competence and consistency of the inspections performed.
Recognized Expertise Across All Types of Artificial Concrete Armour Units
CLAS has extensive experience covering all types of artificial concrete armour units used in the construction of maritime breakwaters, whether installed in single-layer or double-layer configurations.
This multi-system expertise enables CLAS to intervene on existing structures as well as on new projects, without any dependency on a manufacturer, a license, or proprietary technology.
CLAS’s expertise is exercised within a strictly technical framework, exclusively serving the quality of the structures and the safety of coastal infrastructure.
International References and Feedback from Experience
CLAS has been involved in several hundred breakwater and port infrastructure projects worldwide.
To date, more than one million artificial concrete armour units have been installed, inspected or certified under CLAS assistance, on industrial ports, coastal protection structures, seaside resorts and infrastructure exposed to severe wave conditions.
This feedback from experience forms an essential foundation for the continuous improvement of breakwater construction and inspection practices.
Our Ongoing Commitments
CLAS is committed on a daily basis to promoting quality and safety on maritime construction sites.
Our teams ensure the training of personnel, the rigorous implementation of placement drawings, the supervision of critical construction phases, and full traceability of operations.
To date, more than one million artificial concrete armour units have been installed, inspected or certified under CLAS assistance worldwide, in compliance with the quality and performance requirements of maritime structures.
Our approach is based on proximity, responsiveness and tailored support for each client, whether for a major industrial port, a seaside resort or a coastal protection project.
Independence, Rigor and Technical Responsibility
CLAS operates in full independence from manufacturers, trademark owners or license vendors related to artificial concrete armour units.
This independence ensures:
the impartiality of inspections,
the credibility of certifications,
the transparency of procedures,
the protection of project owners’ interests.
Each mission is carried out with a high level of technical rigor, in compliance with international standards and good engineering practice applicable to maritime structures.
Our Long-Term Commitment
Beyond construction sites, CLAS acts for a sustainable future.
Our activities incorporate the principles of responsible development, knowledge transfer and adaptation to climate change.
We contribute to the design of more resilient breakwaters, promoting coastal protection and the preservation of marine ecosystems.
Project Contact and Support
CLAS supports its clients at all stages of their breakwater projects, from construction assistance through to the final certification of the structures.