Dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction Behavior on the Seafloor: Fid-Bau Portal

Dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction Behavior on the Seafloor

P. J. Valent / R. H. Bennett / W. A. Dunlap

Dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction (S-SI) behavior on the seafloor describes the coupling of a structure and the seabed and their combined response to the influence of waves and currents and the material properties of the seafloor. S-SI problems are significant to the Navy when structures placed on the seafloor must be recovered promptly, maintain position (such as no lateral movement), maintain stability (such as not bury or tilt), and not be affected by abrasion and/or sedimentation. This report develops the critical marine geotechnical, geological, and environmental problems of S-SI for structure(s) placed on fine-grained sediments common to coastal areas. Only limited S-SI analysis of sand is presented in this report; however, significant additional work is seriously needed to support various naval operational scenarios requiring reliable predictive models. Detailed future research recommendations are provided herein and the ultimate success of the predictive models and operational strategies will depend critically upon the close integration of research by environmental scientists, geologists, and geotechnical engineers. Keywords: Soil structure interaction; Seafloor sediments; Soil behavior; Geotechniques; Soil properties; Skidding; Lateral motion; Environmental data; Mass movement; Wave-seabottom interaction; Subseafloor properties; Bearing capacity; Geotechnical engineering. (jhd)