ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF MARINE SEDIMENTS NEAR SAN MIGUEL ISLAND, CALIFORNIA
Abstract
In April 1964 study was begun of the ocean floor at the proposed site for emplacing Submersible Test Unit II (STU II) series to determine whether the floor would provide a suitable foundation for the STUs. Eight sediment cores were taken to determine the engineering properties of the sediments in an area approximately 2 miles square in the vicinity of 34 degrees 05.5 minutes N, 120 degrees 43.0 minutes W, some 14 miles west of San Miguel Island, California. In addition, a bathymetric chart of the area was constructed using data from the precision depth recorder and navigational instruments aboard the USS Molala. Laboratory tests were conducted on core samples and computations of bearing capacity and settlement were made for the area with the resulting data. The calculated average bearing capacity was 300 pounds per square foot. The applied load of the STU was approximately 110 pounds per square foot. The calculated total settlement was 1.7 inches. The test results were analyzed statistically to determine the relationships (1) between vane shear strength and depth below the sediment surface, liquid limit, and median particle diameter; and (2) between bulk wet density and vane shear strength and sensitivity. The results indicate the correlations are satisfactory for use in site reconnaissance and site selection studies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0644192
Entities
People
- Melvin C. Hironaka
Organizations
- Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center