Articulated Concrete Mats: Engineered for the Rigors of Offshore Pipeline Infrastructure

In the demanding world of offshore energy and infrastructure, protecting subsea assets from environmental forces and mechanical damage is critical.

Articulated Concrete Mats (ACMs) are the trusted solution for stabilizing pipelines, preventing scour, and ensuring long-term structural integrity on the seafloor.

What Are ACMs?

ACMs are flexible, interlinked mats made of precast concrete blocks. Their articulated design allows them to conform to uneven seabed terrain while resisting hydraulic forces. These mats are widely used in offshore construction for:

• Pipeline stabilization
• Scour protection
• Cable and umbilical shielding
• Slope and shoreline reinforcement

These mats are engineered to conform to complex seabed contours while resisting hydrodynamic forces, making them indispensable in offshore oil and gas, wind energy, and marine construction.

ACMs are a critical component of offshore infrastructure in the Gulf, supporting thousands of kilometers of pipeline and numerous subsea installations. Their evolution reflects the industry’s broader shift toward engineered, modular solutions that enhance safety, reduce environmental impact, and improve operational efficiency.

Waskey’s Expertise

Waskey is well known for meeting the rigorous safety and logistical challenges of serving its offshore clients. The quality patented design of Waskey’s Articulating Concrete Mats and Log Mats are unmatched in the industry.

Waskey’s specialized deployment frames make precise mat placement to the seabed possible with a performance record that is unmatched for safely delivering the largest number of concrete mats to the seafloor in the least amount of time.

Unmatched Design and Performance

Waskey’s standard ACMs are a dynamic system of 160 concrete cells interlinked with 400 feet of extruded copolymer rope, boasting a minimum tensile strength of 9,600 lbs.

Each concrete element is engineered to articulate on a two-axial plane, allowing the mat to conform to pipeline contours and maintain stability on the seabed.

Protection

Our mats can be manufactured with non-abrasive PVC boots and pads that protect cables, umbilicals, and pipelines without interfering with cathodic protection systems.

This patented design (U.S. Patent Nos. 8,858,118 and 9,518,366) ensures water flow between the mat and pipeline wall, preventing shielding and corrosion.

Waskey boots and pads utilize a unique anchoring system that prevents pads and boots from detaching from the mat.

Deployment Frames: Precision and Safety

Waskey’s dual and single release deployment frames are diver/ROV-friendly and engineered for deepwater dependability.

These frames allow for flexible mat orientations and quantities per deployment, enabling precise placement and rapid installation — a performance record unmatched in the industry.

Log Mats: Stability in Uncertain Conditions

The Waskey Logmat (U.S. Patent No. 10,301,788) is a robust solution for poor subsea soil conditions.

Composed of four 12” steel-reinforced concrete hexagon logs interlinked with copolymer rope, the Logmat provides a stable foundation for pipeline crossings and temporary subsea platforms.

Logmats are often used in concert with ACMs to provide stability in the toughest conditions.
They can be manufactured to a specific length to fit project-specific requirements.

Environmentally Friendly Solutions

Beyond offshore applications, Waskey’s concrete mats offer effective solutions for soil stabilization, geo-technical failures, and shoreline protection.

Easily installed on riverbanks and right-of-ways, our mats support long-term environmental resilience.

Applications

Waskey’s ACMs and Log Mats are ideal for:

• Covering and securing exposed pipelines and umbilicals
• Capping decommissioned pipelines
• Pipeline separation and anchoring
• Drop protection and free span correction
• Reducing vortex-induced vibrations (VIV)
• Preventing pipeline vortex shedding
• Rig pad deployment
• Value protection in critical infrastructure

Waskey: A Legacy of Innovation in Precast Concrete

Founded in 1955, Waskey began as a pioneer in precast bridge construction. Over the decades, we’ve evolved into a multi-faceted precast innovator, solving complex infrastructure challenges across a wide range of industries.

Our reputation is built on a foundation of innovation, attention to detail, and unmatched customer service.

At the heart of every Waskey project is a team of skilled, dedicated professionals. From planning to execution, our experienced staff delivers enhanced solutions that meet the unique demands of each project.

Waskey ACMs have been used on countless projects in the GOM and have even been used on projects in Africa and South America.

Product Specifications

See the table below detailing Waskey’s standard ACM and Log Mat sizes as well as the lifting capacity of our deployment frames.

Articulated Concrete Mattress Sizes and Weights

Long Mat Sizes and Weights

Deployment Frames