récif artificiel Panal
THE PANAL
Morphologically, it shows an irregular network whose initial hexagonal frame is a distorted "honeycomb".
This specific module located on the piles, was initially conceived during the studies on the expansion of the territory of Monaco, international competition in which the company participated with Creocean with the consortium Monte Carlo Sealand. The project was canceled in December 2008 while the group was in the final three teams.
New studies were made during the call for tenders of the Nouvelle Route du Littoral
The extreme physical stresses encountered during the local hurricane events have led us to calculate a new geometry very close to the original concept but able to withstand pressures of ten tons per square meter.
The structure of the viaduct piles should be covered with a skin offering shelter to the various larvae and post larvae drifting along the "biological corridors" determined by scientific studies.
The structural advantage of the hexagon allows a stiffening through the folds and a cooperation of all in tension and compression forces. The developed surface which can be colonized is also greatly increased without any fragility excess. The multiplicity of the cavity shapes created matches the settlements recommendations of specialists in artificial reefs. Different cells have various depths, forming a motely patchwork.
The Panal providing a vertical habitat system increases the equipment's ability to generate a new biota. The colonized the area by invertebrate larvae, coral larvae and fauna is also multiplied. The structure itself with the different cells constitutes a macro porosity that once colonized will produce new habitats and new sources of food. Also by maximizing the surface increasing the potential colonized area leads also to increase algae biomass in the new habitat.
