Seafloor Processes and Geotechnology

There are numerous factors engineers, geologists, marine, and environmental scientists must be aware of involving seafloor processes and geotechnology (to work in a safe and environmentally responsible manner in either the deep ocean or coastal zone). This difference is due in part to the nature of the sediment column which varies from the continental shelf and slope, to the abyssal plains. This book provides a comprehensive survey of these factors and discusses marine in situ investigation, drilling, soil sampling, sediment properties and laboratory testing techniques.

An ideal resource for civil engineers working with offshore structures, pipelines, dredging, and coastal erosion, Seafloor Processes and Geotechnology bridges the gap between the standard soil mechanics curriculum of civil engineering and published material on marine geotechnology. Utilizing organized information on sediments and foundations for marine applications from a variety of sources, it provides practical reference information and approaches for analysis and design.

This book provides an understanding of the processes and loadings affecting the sediment/water interface and the sediment column on the continental shelf and slope as well as the abyssal plains. It outlines the geological and geotechnical factors that should be considered in an investigation, and provides practicing professionals with the information they need to analyze potential environmental hazards and problems in marine foundations and slope stability. It covers geology, site investigation, drilling and sampling sediments, material properties, foundation design, slope stability, and more.

Exploring marine geotechnology from a historical perspective, this book:

• Describes the development of marine geotechnology, the marine environment, and the geology of the seabed
• Discusses the various elements of a site investigation
• Explains how to investigate a site by remote sensing over the macro scale, probing to look at a more defined area, and drilling and sampling at the micro scale
• Looks at the physical, acoustic, and geochemical properties of marine sediments at the micro scale
• Focuses on slope stability and marine foundations

investigation, drilling, soil sampling, and laboratory testing technologies and serves as a complete handbook for engineers, geologists, as well as marine and environmental scientists.