Low-cost methodology to study the settlement of solid blocks on sandy bottoms

A low-cost methodology is proposed to provide settlement data for solid blocks in order to improve the design of future coastal structures. Two methods were used to determine how far the block was sinking at the sandy bottom: topographically (four field campaigns) and continuously (with two pressure sensors) for 7.5 months. Settlement values obtained were similar in both cases. The difference between both methods at most 2 cm. Half of the sink occurred in the first week. Over the next month, the rate of sinking slowed down until a storm ended it all. Subsequently, the blocks remained stable. A comparison with other researchers’ data was performed and significant differences were found. This heterogeneity in behaviour necessitate the use of these types of low-cost tests that would help calibrate both physical and numerical models. •A new affordable way to find out absolute and relative values of concrete block sinking in the sea bottom is shown.•The methodology showed here is a very low cost technique.•Real data of a practical case of great utility for the calibration and validation of physical and mathematical models are also presented.•Amount the results, it is worthy of to highlight that most of the sinking was observed in the first week.