Assessment of Lower Bound Bearing Strength of Foreshore Sediments using Remote Sensing: The Role of Sediment Saturation, Beach Slope, and Bearing Failure Type
Abstract
Trafficability of foreshore sediments is a major concern for naval operations and for the response and management of evacuation efforts during extreme events. Two processes govern the trafficability of soils: bearing failure (or also referred to as sinkage) and traction failure. Both processes are functions of the soils shear strength, and while traction failure may occur on a soil with adequate bearing, bearing failure does not occur without being accompanied by traction failure, leading often to even more dramatic challenges with regard to the remobilization of the vehicle. Therefore, the overarching research goal of this study is the assessment lower bound bearing strength of sandy foreshore sediments from remote sensing. In this project, remotely sensed data including aerial images, satellite images, radar and infrared images were collected in addition to obtaining foreshore slope and geomorphology, and geomechanical properties of foreshore sediments from traditional measuring techniques. Data collection included multiple sites characterized by different environmental conditions. Results documented a strong spatiotemporal variability of local moisture contents and bearing strength across sandy beaches. The project succeeded to demonstrate that this variability is reflected in optic and synthetic aperture radar satellite
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 10, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1102893
Entities
People
- Hans C. Graber
- Heidi Wadman
- Jesse Mcninch
- Nina Stark
Organizations
- Virginia Tech