Effect of Rate-Dependent Soil Strength on Cylinders Penetrating Into Soft Clay

This paper presents a predictive model for undrained penetration of cylinders into soft seafloor soils. The penetration depth will depend on the velocity of the cylinder as it touches down at the seafloor, and the net deceleration of the cylinder as it is acted on by forces of self-weight, soil buoyancy, and soil-shearing resistance. The soil-shearing resistance force increases as a function of penetration depth and, due to the dependence of undrained shear strength on strain rate, penetration velocity. This paper presents finite element (FE) simulations that quantify both effects and form the basis of a simplified soil-resisting force model. Strain-rate effects are modeled within a framework of rate-dependent plasticity, with shearing resistance increasing semilogarithmically with increasing strain rate above a certain threshold strain rate. With all forces acting on the cylinder, estimated penetration depths are predicted from simple equations of motion for a single particle. Comparisons to laboratory tests involving penetration of cylinders into soft reconstituted marine clay show reasonable agreement between model predictions and measurements.     

探头尺寸对FFP确定海底沉积物性质影响的原位试验研究

自落式贯入仪(Free-Falling Penetrometer, FFP)是一种新型海底沉积物原位测量设备,用于海底沉积物工程性质原位调查。本文基于自主研发的FFP设备在黄海海域开展现场贯入试验,分析探头尺寸对判断沉积物性质的影响。研究表明,在不同沉积物中探头尺寸对贯入深度、贯入阻力和沉积物类型判断有不同影响。在细粒沉积物中探头尺寸对贯入深度、贯入阻力影响较小;在根据贯入阻力变化划定分层时,小直径探头能反应贯入阻力更为细小的变化。在粗粒沉积物中探头尺寸影响更明显,大尺寸探头使贯入阻力变大,贯入深度减小。根据标准化深度和硬度因子可区分粗粒沉积物和细粒沉积物,在粗粒沉积物中探头尺寸增大,硬度因子减小,有利于细化沉积物类型。     

Geotechnical Investigation of the Titanic Wreck Site

Abstract

Recent marine forensic investigations have largely unravelled the sequence of events concerning the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic and its descent through nearly 3800 m of water to the seafloor on the morning of 15 April 1912. In particular, the velocity and attitude of the Titanic's bow section (at present lying upright, reasonably intact, and embedded by ～12 m at the prow) as it hit the bottom are of general interest to marine accident investigators. During the 1998 Titanic Science Expedition, a single sediment sample was retrieved from the seafloor (depth 20–30 cm) near the wreck by the deep water submersible, Nautile. Published geological studies suggest the seafloor in this area has remained largely undisturbed since 1912. Geotechnical analysis of the sediment sample reveals that the impact was probably a substantially undrained event and that the characteristic undrained shear strength of the sediment is ～25kPa within 10–16 m below the seafloor. A simple analytical model was used to calculate the embedment of a cuboid with dimensions and mass of the water-filled bow as a function of impact velocity, impact angle, and the undrained shear strength of the sediment. The results indicate the impossibility of a steep angle of impact and fast velocity. The most likely scenario is an impact velocity of 5–10 m/s at a fairly shallow angle (<40°), which corroborates the results of hydrodynamic investigations.     

海底沉积物声学特征定量分析及其智能分类研究

海底底质特性描述及分类是当今浅海声学的研究热点,海底沉积物的物理结构特性与其声学响应特征密切相关。在分析海底沉积物声传播特性的基础上,应用现代计算机信号分析技术手段,对海底沉积物声学响应波形提取了4个特征参数:声速、波幅指数、波形关联维分形指数和声波频谱的频率矩。以这4个特征参数作为输入向量,海底沉积物的结构类型作为输出向量,建立径向基概率神经网络模型。研究表明建立的神经网络模型具有较强的海底沉积物分类预报能力。     

自由落体式球形贯入仪在硬-软黏土中的贯入响应

自由落体贯入仪（free falling penetrometer,简称FFP）通过自由下落贯入土层中,由于其高效便捷的特性,越来越广泛地被应用于海底浅层土体原位勘察。采用耦合欧拉-拉格朗日（Coupled Eulerian Lagrangian,简称CEL）方法,进行了球形FFP在硬-软双层黏土中贯入的大变形有限元分析,考虑了土体的应变率和应变软化效应。与离心机试验、现场试验和数值模拟结果进行了对比,验证了模型的可靠性。分析了成层土对贯入过程的影响,发现FFP在贯入过程中上部硬黏土层形成空腔,且底部会伴随着土塞。通过广泛的变参数分析结果,拟合了球形FFP最终贯入深度与总能量之间的归一化表达式,建立了土体不排水抗剪强度、FFP直径和贯入速度与FFP在硬-软黏土层中最终贯入深度的关系。     

Discrimination of Seafloor Sediment Properties by VWA

Analytical results of sound velocity and spectrum for seafloor sediment ore obtained by VWA (velocity-wave-amplitude) discrimination technique. Based on velocity-wave-amplitude, an understanding is gained of the physical condition and structural characteristics of seafloor sediment, which is combined with other geological information of the sedimentary layer to synthetically discriminate the properties of seafloor sediment. Experimental results show that, by using the relationship between sound velocity, wave form envelope, amplitude shape and size, and such parameters as sedimentary structure, microstructure, bedding, grain composition, mineral composition, and physical-mechanics, etc., the basic properties of the shallow surface seafloor sediment in the experimental sea area can be discriminated and the burial depth of traces of ancient marine transgression and regression events in the borehole cores of seafloor sediment can be divided, thus making an attempt of and contribution to the practice of acoustically remote-sensing and telemetering seafloor sediment.     

Discrimination of Seafloor Sediment Properties by VWA

Analytical results of sound velocity and spectrum for seafloor sediment ore obtained by VWA (velocity-wave-amplitude) discrimination technique. Based on velocity-wave-amplitude, an understanding is gained of the physical condition and structural characteristics of seafloor sediment, which is combined with other geological information of the sedimentary layer to synthetically discriminate the properties of seafloor sediment. Experimental results show that, by using the relationship between sound velocity, wave form envelope, amplitude shape and size, and such parameters as sedimentary structure, microstructure, bedding, grain composition, mineral composition, and physical-mechanics, etc., the basic properties of the shallow surface seafloor sediment in the experimental sea area can be discriminated and the burial depth of traces of ancient marine transgression and regression events in the borehole cores of seafloor sediment can be divided, thus making an attempt of and contribution to the practice of acoustically remote-sensing and telemetering seafloor sediment.     

基于浅地层剖面的海底浅表层沉积物物理性质参数反演技术研究

海底浅表层（小于1 m）沉积物的物理性质,如粒度、孔隙度、密度等是海洋沉积学研究和海洋工程地质分析的重要内容,目前主要基于有限的海底取样或原位测试获取这些沉积物的物理性质。浅地层剖面是基于声学信号（频率几千赫兹）在沉积物中的传播得到可反映沉积地层结构的数据,其中的一些声学参数,如海底反射系数、波阻抗等与沉积物物理性质密切相关。如何充分而有效地利用浅地层剖面资料,反演得到剖面覆盖区海底浅表层沉积物的物理性质参数,极具科学意义和应用价值,且基于声学属性反演沉积物物理性质是当前研究的热点。为此,本文基于渤海LD16-3CEPA至LD10-1PAPD路由段的浅地层剖面数据和海底表层沉积物的实测物理参数,利用Biot-Stoll模型建立研究区海底反射系数和沉积物物理性质之间的关系,并基于浅地层剖面数据计算得到的海底反射系数,反演了研究区海底浅表层沉积物的孔隙度、密度、平均粒径等物理性质参数。其中反演的孔隙度、密度、平均粒径与实测孔隙度、密度、平均粒径基本相符,偏差度基本都在20%的偏差范围内,表明该反演方法在该区的应用是可行的。     

Phase-reversed seabed reflections in seismic data: examples related to mud volcanoes from the South Caspian Sea

The sediment–water interface is usually marked by an increase in acoustic impedance and is therefore displayed in a seismic section as a positive polarity reflection. Here, we use the term “seabed phase reversal” to describe areas of seafloor which are instead expressed as a negative polarity reflection in seismic data. We describe in detail a number of examples of seafloor phase reversals and use a simple one-dimensional geophysical model to test the hypothesis that they are the result of the presence of gas within the seafloor sediment. Our examples are all related to seismically imaged mud volcanoes located within the South Caspian Sea. Sections of phase-reversed seafloor at the summit area of these volcanoes have been mapped to reveal the existence of seafloor mud pools (salses) and recently erupted mud flows which show a strong similarity to smaller-scale features at onshore volcanoes in Azerbaijan. Synthetic geophysical modelling indicates that under the physical conditions likely to occur when the seabed sediment is gas-bearing, the seafloor will be expressed as a strong negative polarity reflection. Unlike other indicators of seafloor gas, such as pockmarks, which merely record the transient expulsion of fluids from sedimentary basins, seafloor phase reversals indicate the presence of gas in marine sediment at the time of survey acquisition. They therefore are of significance to engineering and site survey operations as well as the identification of biological communities and gas flux calculations.     

An overview of SAX99: acoustic measurements

A high-frequency acoustic experiment was performed at a site 2 km from shore on the Florida Panhandle near Fort Walton Beach in water of 18-19 m depth. The goal of the experiment was, for high-frequency acoustic fields (mostly In the 10-300-kHz range), to quantify backscattering from the seafloor sediment, penetration into the sediment, and propagation within the sediment. In addition, spheres and other objects were used to gather data on acoustic detection of buried objects. The high-frequency acoustic interaction with the medium sand sediment was investigated at grazing angles both above and below the critical angle of about 30°. Detailed characterizations of the upper seafloor physical properties were made to aid in quantifying the acoustic interaction with the seafloor. Biological processes within the seabed and the water column were also investigated with the goal of understanding their impact on acoustic properties. This paper summarizes the topics that motivated the experiment, outlines the scope of the measurements done, and presents preliminary acoustics results     

声波在水-多孔介质海底界面上的反射与透射

声波在海底界面的反射和透射是海底散射、海底混响、海底目标探测的重要问题。利用Biot多孔介质声传播理论对声波在水-多孔海底界面上的反射和透射进行了分析,具体给出反射声波的反射系数,3种透射声波的透射系数以及声能透射系数随入射波入射角和频率(10~40 kHz)的变化关系,分析了各种透射波对透射声能的贡献。多孔海底介质参数分别采用Stoll和Chotiros给出的2组参数进行理论计算。     

Overview of SAX99: environmental considerations

A 1-km² area located 2 km off the Florida Panhandle (30°22.6'N; 86°38.7'W) was selected as the site to conduct high-frequency acoustic seafloor penetration, sediment propagation, and bottom scattering experiments. Side scan, multibeam, and normal incidence chirp acoustic surveys as well as subsequent video surveys, diver observations, and vibra coring, indicate a uniform distribution of surficial and subbottom seafloor characteristics within the area. The site, in 18-19 m of water, is characterized by 1-2-m-thick fine-to-medium clean sand and meets the logistic and scientific requirements specified for the acoustic experiments. This paper provides a preliminary summary of the meteorological, oceanographic, and seafloor conditions found during the experiments and describes the important physical and biological processes that control the spatial distribution and temporal changes in these characteristics     

Sound Velocity of Seafloor Sediment and its Response under Axial Stress-Strain

The results of axial stress-strain measurements made from short columnar samples of seafloor shallow surface sediment in the southern South China Sea area indicate that there are three kinds of variations in the longitudinal wave sound velocity, which are related to such characteristics as physical-mechanical properties, grain contact status and grain structure and microstructure of the submarine shallow surface sediment. This study may make theoretical contributions to further understanding the reliability of various submarine sediments in the southern South China Sea as bearing interfaces and such scientific objectives as phonotelemetering and remote sensing of the engineering mechanical properties of seafloor sediment.     

含砂量变化影响海底沉积物压缩波速度的分析研究

本文通过对南海海底沉积物样品的声学物理参数和沉积粒度特征统计分析,发现了高、低含砂量沉积物的声学物理特征存在明显差异,建立了海底沉积物的含砂量与压缩波速度、孔隙度、含水量和密度等经验公式,分析了含砂量变化与沉积物的体积压缩模量和密度变化的关系,从声速理论基础上阐明了含砂量变化引起沉积物压缩波速度变化的内在原因是含砂量变化引起了体积压缩模量和密度发生了变化,说明了含砂量增大引起沉积物压缩波速度增大的内在原因是含砂量增大引起了体积压缩模量变化量大于密度变化量,从而在数据统计和理论分析结合基础上,论证了含砂量是影响海底沉积物压缩波速度的重要因素之一。这一研究对声学方法反演海底沉积物粒度参数和沉积物类型、地声参数转换模型的建立,以及对水声反演海底和海底资源勘探等方面都具有重要理论意义和应用价值。     

Tests of models for high-frequency seafloor backscatter

The interaction of high-frequency sound with the seafloor is inherently a stochastic process. Inversion techniques must, therefore employ good stochastic models for bottom acoustic scattering. An assortment of physical models for bottom backscattering strength is tested by comparison with scattering strength data obtained at 40 kHz at three shallow water sites spanning a range of sediment types from fine silt to coarse sand. These acoustic data are accompanied by sediment physical property data obtained by core sample analysis and in situ probes. In addition, stereo photography was used to measure the power spectrum of bottom relief on centimeter scales. These physical data provided the inputs needed to test the backscatter models, which treat scattering from both the rough sediment-water interface and the sediment volume. For the three sites considered here, the perturbation model for scattering from a slightly rough fluid seafloor performs well. Volume scattering is predicted to be weak except at a site having a layer of methane bubbles     

Calibration techniques and sampling resolution requirements for groundtruthing multibeam acoustic backscatter (EM3000) and QTC VIEW™ classification technology

Both acoustic and sediment surveys were carried out in the Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia, in order to map a former aquaculture site and calibrate acoustic surveys with georeferenced sediment properties. The acoustic surveys included EM3000 Multibeam (including backscatter) and QTC VIEW™ (Series IV) technologies, while the geotechnical survey entailed Van Veen grab sampling of surface sediments and associated analyses. The two acoustic technologies were consistent in their ability to identify distinct regions of seafloor characterized by rock outcrops, consolidated substrates, or gel-mud depositional fields. Both multibeam backscatter data and QTC VIEW™ number-coded classifications were extracted across a range of circular areas located at each georeferenced sampling station (radii: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 16, 20 m). Statistical correlations were observed between backscatter and certain geotechnical properties, such as sediment porosity, sediment grain size fractions (<2 μm, silt content), and particulate sulfur concentration. The areal resolution of backscatter extraction was explored in terms of determining a sensitive calibration technique between backscatter and sediment properties. In general the highest r² values between backscatter and sediment variables were observed across extraction radii between 8 and 20 m. Such groundtruthing techniques could be used to interpolate seafloor characteristics between sampling stations and provide a steering tool for sampling designs associated with benthic monitoring programs.     

海底沉积物的基本地声结构与地声模型

为准确建立海底地声模型,本文探讨地声模型的基本组成和基本结构。通过样品实验室测量,分析南海海底表层沉积物的密度、孔隙度与声速随着埋深变化的关系,得出海底实际存在的低声速表面–声速缓慢变化类型、低声速表面–声速增大类型、高声速表面–声速缓慢变化类型和高声速表面–声速增大类型4种典型地声结构;对比钻探测量,分析黄海海底沉积物的密度、孔隙度与声速随埋深变化关系,得出海底地声模型分层特征与地声结构组合特征。研究表明,地声模型可以归结为4种基本地声结构的组合,通过与底层海水声速、同层内声速剖面以及与上层海底沉积物下表面声速的比较,可以建立各种海底地声模型;基于实验室测量法建立的地声模型可以作为参考地声模型,但需要考虑实际海底温度和压力梯度以及海底沉积物的频散特性等,借助于声速比校正法和频散性理论模型进行计算及修正。     

Mid- to High-Frequency Acoustic Penetration and Propagation Measurements in a Sandy Sediment

During the recent 2004 Sediment Acoustics Experiment (SAX04), a buried hydrophone array was deployed in a sandy sediment near Fort Walton Beach, FL. The array was used to measure both the acoustic penetration into the sediment and sound speed and attenuation within the sediment while a smaller, diver-deployed array was also used to measure sound speed and attenuation. Both of these systems had been deployed previously during the 1999 Sediment Acoustics Experiment (SAX99). In that experiment, the buried array was used to make measurements in the 11–50-kHz range while the diver-deployed array made measurements in the 80–260-kHz range. For the SAX04 deployment, the frequency range for the measurements using the buried array was lowered to 2 kHz. The diver-deployed array was also modified to cover the 40–260-kHz range. Unlike the SAX99 deployment, there were no obvious sand ripples at the SAX04 buried array site at the time of the measurements. To examine the role of sand ripples in acoustic penetration over this new frequency range, artificial ripple fields were created. For the high frequencies, the penetration was consistent with the model predictions using small-roughness perturbation theory as in SAX99. As the frequency of the incident acoustic field decreased, the evanescent field became the dominant penetration mechanism. The sound speed measured using the buried array exhibits dispersion consistent with the Biot theory while the measured attenuation exceeds the theory predictions at frequencies above 200 kHz.      

往复潮流作用下推移质粒径趋势形成模拟初探

粒径趋势分析是一种用于判断海洋环境中沉积物净输运方向的方法,但是至今粒径趋势形成的物理机制尚不够清楚,因而影响了粒径趋势分析适用条件的确定。针对这个问题,本文通过建立一维、推移质、往复流（近岸潮流）条件下的数值模型,采用正演方法模拟粒度参数在输运方向上的分布．以评价沉积动力过程的影响,初步探讨粒径趋势形成的物理机制。数值模型实验的初步结果显示,水动力条件的空间差异导致的沉积物粒度参数的空间分布符合粒径趋势分析的假设,粒径趋势分析中定义的两种粒径趋势可由沉积物输运强度的空间梯度而形成,并且在沉积物净输运方向上出现的频率最高。     

海底浅表层沉积物原位声学测量方法探讨

研究透射式和折射式两类海底沉积声学原位测量方法,通过分析10种海底浅表层沉积物声学原位测量仪器的特征,指出不同声学原位测量技术对沉积物声学特性测量结果的影响。比较黄海海底浅表层沉积声学原位测量数据与实验室测量结果的差异,分析原位声学测量数据普遍小于实验室测量数据的原因,指出原位测量的作用和重要性。探讨指出海底浅表层沉积物原位声学测量所需要配合发展的其他物理性质原位测量技术。