Marine Geotechnics and Marine Engineering Geology

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 October 2022) | Viewed by 13156

Special Issue Editor

Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
Interests: marine engineering geology; marine/offshore geotechnics; coral reef geotechnics; Fluid-Structure-Seabed Interaction (FSSI); computational geomechanics and FEA software development; wave/earthquake dynamic stability of offshore turbines
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Submissions exploring cutting-edge research and recent advances are invited to the Special Issue on Marine Geotechnics and Marine Engineering Geology.

In the past two decades, a great number of marine structures, e.g., breakwaters, offshore wind turbines, submarine pipeline, oil/gas platform cross-sea bridges, etc. have been constructed worldwide. Under the impact of environmental loads, such as ocean waves in typhoon climates and strong seismic waves, the stability of these marine structures is seriously threatened, especially when they are built on less dense seabed foundation. This Special Issue will focus on theoretical, experimental, and numerical studies related to the dynamic response, as well as the stability evaluation of all kinds of marine structures and their seabed foundation under environmental loads. Studies focusing on the experimental or mathematical description of the mechanical properties of conventional or gas hydrate marine soils and marine geological disasters threatening the stability of marine structures, as well as on the techniques/methods for the field monitoring of marine structures and seabed foundation, are also warmly welcome.

Prof. Dr. Jianhong Ye
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • marine geotechnics
  • marine engineering geology
  • marine structures
  • fluid-structure-seabed interation
  • seismic dynamics of offshore structures

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 14796 KiB  
Article
Formulas for Uniaxial Capacities of Tetrapod Bucket Foundations Considering Group Effects in Undrained Clay
by Zhong Xiao, Yan Wang, Ying Liu, Yinghui Tian, Rong Wang, Ran Tao and Xian Wei
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(11), 5353; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12115353 - 25 May 2022
Viewed by 1420
Abstract
Suction bucket foundation is a novel and cheaper foundation used in marine structures, such as offshore wind turbines, breakwater and oil platforms. Compared with a single bucket foundation, tetrapod bucket foundations can bear larger loads because of the group effects. However, the vertical, [...] Read more.
Suction bucket foundation is a novel and cheaper foundation used in marine structures, such as offshore wind turbines, breakwater and oil platforms. Compared with a single bucket foundation, tetrapod bucket foundations can bear larger loads because of the group effects. However, the vertical, horizontal and moment capacity factors of tetrapod bucket foundations have not been presented in existing specifications. A series of three-dimensional finite-element analyses were conducted to investigate the group effects on uniaxial capacities and failure mechanisms of tetrapod bucket foundations in undrained clay considering various foundation separation distance ratios, embedment depth ratios, soil-strength heterogeneity indices and load direction angles. Generalized formulas for undrained uniaxial capacities of tetrapod bucket foundations were proposed in order to establish a bridge connecting the capacities of tetrapod bucket foundations and those of the single bucket foundation, which can provide a reference for industrial designs of capacities of tetrapod bucket foundations. The results show that the vertical group effect factor of tetrapod bucket foundations is basically not affected by the foundation separation distance ratio, embedment depth ratio, soil-strength heterogeneity index and load direction angle, which can adopted 0.9 based on a conservative estimation. The normalized horizontal and moment group effect factors of tetrapod bucket foundations are both affected by the separation distance ratio, embedment depth ratio and soil-strength heterogeneity index, but the moment group effect factor is also obviously affected by the load direction angle. The value of the horizontal and moment capacity factors of tetrapod bucket foundations are about 2.3 and 13.8 times that of a single bucket foundation, respectively, when the separation distance ratio is 3.5, embedment depth ratio is 1.0 and soil-strength heterogeneity index is 10, which have both been significantly enhanced. A value of 3.5 is suggested for the separation distance ratio to attain good capacities and a relatively high global stiffness for the tetrapod bucket foundations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Geotechnics and Marine Engineering Geology)
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24 pages, 7762 KiB  
Article
Model Test Study of Offshore Wind Turbine Foundation under the Combined Action of Wind Wave and Current
by Xiaoling Zhang, Chengrui Liu and Jianhong Ye
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(10), 5197; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12105197 - 20 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1390
Abstract
The wind turbine system in the offshore area will be subjected to the combined action of complex marine environment dynamic loads. At present, there is a certain advantage to using traditional mechanical devices to simulate marine environmental loads. In this study, the self-developed [...] Read more.
The wind turbine system in the offshore area will be subjected to the combined action of complex marine environment dynamic loads. At present, there is a certain advantage to using traditional mechanical devices to simulate marine environmental loads. In this study, the self-developed complex dynamic load test loading system is adopted to carry out a series of model tests for pile foundations. The theoretical calculation results of wind, wave and current load are applied to the wind turbine system, and the responses of the pile and soil are analyzed according to the actual model test. The main conclusions are as follows: the development of pile displacement is basically linear with the logarithm of cycle times, and pile–soil interaction is directly affected by the form of load, the results of dynamic response obtained in this test are closer to that under the actual marine environmental load. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Geotechnics and Marine Engineering Geology)
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14 pages, 2175 KiB  
Article
Using a Machine Learning Method to Predict the Penetration Depth of a Gravity Corer
by Xing Du, Yongfu Sun, Yupeng Song, Qikun Zhou and Zongxiang Xiu
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(9), 4457; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12094457 - 28 Apr 2022
Viewed by 1853
Abstract
The study of penetration depth of gravity piston samplers has an essential impact on sampling efficiency and instrument safety. This study focuses on predicting penetration depth based on the characteristic parameters of the sampled seafloor sediments and the sampler parameters. Although numerous studies [...] Read more.
The study of penetration depth of gravity piston samplers has an essential impact on sampling efficiency and instrument safety. This study focuses on predicting penetration depth based on the characteristic parameters of the sampled seafloor sediments and the sampler parameters. Although numerous studies of gravity corer penetration depth have been carried out, most have been based on the energy conservation equation, which considers a varying number of influencing factors. Furthermore, most research has focused on the same research idea of finding analytical solutions. The present study proposes a new approach to predicting gravity corer penetration depth based on a machine learning method that uses real sampling data from the sea and experimental data from a gravity sampling physical model for training and testing. Experimental results indicate that the machine learning model can accurately predict gravity corer penetration depth. Moreover, predictions were made for the same penetration conditions using the machine learning model and three other analytical solution models. Results show that the prediction accuracy of machine learning outperforms that of the analytical prediction model under various statistical rubrics. This study demonstrates the capacity of the proposed machine learning model and provides civil engineers with an effective tool to predict the penetration depth of gravity corers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Geotechnics and Marine Engineering Geology)
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21 pages, 8219 KiB  
Article
Numerical Analysis of Dynamics of Jack-Up Offshore Platform and Its Seabed Foundation under Ocean Wave
by Hailin Ye, Dawei Yu, Jianhong Ye and Zhiwen Yang
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(7), 3299; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12073299 - 24 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2241
Abstract
Jack-up offshore platform is a type of important marine structure, which is mainly used for satellite launch, oil exploitation, and other engineering tasks in the offshore area. The offshore platform is bound to be subjected to wave loading in the course of use. [...] Read more.
Jack-up offshore platform is a type of important marine structure, which is mainly used for satellite launch, oil exploitation, and other engineering tasks in the offshore area. The offshore platform is bound to be subjected to wave loading in the course of use. Whether it can withstand the wave impact is an important engineering problem. To solve this engineering problem, the self-developed fluid–structure–foundation interaction coupling model OlaFlow-ABAQUS is used to explore the dynamic response characteristics of a jack-up offshore platform and its seabed foundation under three conventional wave conditions (wave height is 3, 5, and 7 m, respectively) in a coupled way. The numerical results show that only a small amplitude of periodic sloshing occurs for the jack-up offshore platform under the three conventional wave conditions. The maximum sloshing amplitude is up to 8 cm, and there is no visible residual displacement. It is indicated that there is no plastic deformation zone in the seabed foundation near the pile legs of the jack-up platform. It can thus be concluded that the jack-up platform has excellent stability under conventional wave conditions. Under conventional wave loading, momentary liquefaction occurs in the seabed foundation around the pile legs of the platform, and the maximum liquefaction depth is about 1 m. This study indicates that the coupling model OlaFlow-ABAQUS for the fluid–structure–foundation interaction is feasible, and has some advantages to study the dynamic response and to evaluate the stability of large-scale marine structures and their seabed foundations under ocean waves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Geotechnics and Marine Engineering Geology)
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12 pages, 3711 KiB  
Article
Shallow Velocity Estimation by Multiples for Monochannel Boomer Surveys
by Aldo Vesnaver and Luca Baradello
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(6), 3046; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12063046 - 16 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1384
Abstract
The shallow P velocity provides relevant information for offshore engineers, in planning pipelines, piers, and platforms. Standard multichannel surveys trailing long cables provide good estimates but may require stopping other ongoing operations or may affect the environment. Monochannel surveys by Boomer systems involve [...] Read more.
The shallow P velocity provides relevant information for offshore engineers, in planning pipelines, piers, and platforms. Standard multichannel surveys trailing long cables provide good estimates but may require stopping other ongoing operations or may affect the environment. Monochannel surveys by Boomer systems involve a very short cable, so those drawbacks are minimized; however, this comes at the cost of loss of information for estimating the P velocity of shallow layers. In this paper, we present a new method exploiting multiple reflections for characterizing the seafloor. After validation of the algorithm by a synthetic example, we tested this approach in a marine survey acquired by a Boomer system at the Gulf of Trieste (Italy). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Geotechnics and Marine Engineering Geology)
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15 pages, 4309 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Calculation Method of Wave Crest Height and Panel Wave Force of a New Barrel-Pile Foundation Composite Structure Wharf
by Longzai Ge, Hanbao Chen, Songgui Chen and Haiyuan Liu
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1060; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031060 - 20 Jan 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1603
Abstract
Due to the depletion of near-shore resources and the complex environment of offshore deep-water open port construction, a new barrel-pile foundation composite structure wharf is proposed. In order to provide technical support for the engineering design and application of the new structure, research [...] Read more.
Due to the depletion of near-shore resources and the complex environment of offshore deep-water open port construction, a new barrel-pile foundation composite structure wharf is proposed. In order to provide technical support for the engineering design and application of the new structure, research is carried out on a physical model. Through setting up a series of group tests, on the basis of fully understanding the wave impact characteristics of the wharf panel of the new structure: (1) the relationship between the wave crest height, impact force, and various influence factors is established; (2) a calculation method and formula are put forward (compared with the physical model test data, the calculation formula results have good accuracy); (3) according to the formulas of wave crest height and panel impact force, a determination method for the wharf surface elevation of the new structure is given. In addition, due to the limitations of the test conditions, it is suggested that the physical model should be further verified for a complex transverse and longitudinal beam structure or extreme sea conditions, such as traveling wave breaking and wave inundation of the wharf. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Geotechnics and Marine Engineering Geology)
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15 pages, 5306 KiB  
Article
Cnoidal Wave-Induced Residual Liquefaction in Loosely Deposited Seabed under Coastal Shallow Water
by Xiuwei Chai, Jingyuan Liu and Yu Zhou
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(24), 11631; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112411631 - 08 Dec 2021
Viewed by 2031
Abstract
This study is aimed at numerically investigating the cnoidal wave-induced dynamics characteristics and the liquefaction process in a loosely deposited seabed floor in a shallow water environment. To achieve this goal, the integrated model FSSI-CAS 2D is taken as the computational platform, and [...] Read more.
This study is aimed at numerically investigating the cnoidal wave-induced dynamics characteristics and the liquefaction process in a loosely deposited seabed floor in a shallow water environment. To achieve this goal, the integrated model FSSI-CAS 2D is taken as the computational platform, and the advanced soil model Pastor–Zienkiewicz Mark III is utilized to describe the complicated mechanical behavior of loose seabed soil. The computational results show that a significant lateral spreading and vertical subsidence could be observed in the loosely deposited seabed floor due to the gradual loss of soil skeleton stiffness caused by the accumulation of pore pressure. The accumulation of pore pressure in the loose seabed is not infinite but limited by the liquefaction resistance line. The seabed soil at some locations could be reached to the full liquefaction state, becoming a type of heavy fluid with great viscosity. Residual liquefaction is a progressive process that is initiated at the upper part of the seabed floor and then enlarges downward. For waves with great height in shallow water, the depth of the liquefaction zone will be greatly overestimated if the Stokes wave theory is used. This study can enhance the understanding of the characteristics of the liquefaction process in a loosely deposited seabed under coastal shallow water and provide a reference for engineering activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Geotechnics and Marine Engineering Geology)
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