The northern margin of St. Croix, V.I. is characterized by three morphological features: a narrow shallow water carbonate shelf; a steep slope; and a deep-sea basin. Shallow water reef material and carbonate debris occurs along the shelf. A thin carbonate ooze overlies the steep slope where occasionally rock outcrops occur. Trough sediments are clayey silts and turbidite deposits. Average shear strengths range between 3.1–10.0 kPa for the slope and 5.8–28.3 kPa for the trough (1-m cores). Values range as high as 69.1 kPa at sediment depths greater than one meter. Average sensitivities range between 3.2–6.1 for the slope and 4.1–12.1 for the trough (upper 1 m). Higher sensitivities [8–12] indicate the presence of metastable deposits and considerable strength loss upon disturbance. Variation in the sand, silt, and clay sized fractions, the nature of the carbonate particles, and bioturbation strongly affect the variability in the geotechnical properties. Quantitative studies of local morphology, processes and sediment properties reveal the need for detailed data in specific areas of engineering interest.
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March 1984
Research Papers
Geotechnical and Geological Factors Affecting Offshore Engineering and Seabed Utilization on a Carbonate Margin: St. Croix, V.I.
R. H. Bennett,
R. H. Bennett
Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity, National Space Technology Laboratories Station, Miss. 39529
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F. A. Bowles,
F. A. Bowles
Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity, National Space Technology Laboratories Station, Miss. 39529
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D. N. Lambert,
D. N. Lambert
Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity, National Space Technology Laboratories Station, Miss. 39529
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F. L. Nastav,
F. L. Nastav
Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity, National Space Technology Laboratories Station, Miss. 39529
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G. F. Merrill,
G. F. Merrill
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories, Miami, Fla. 33149
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G. Almagor,
G. Almagor
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories, Miami, Fla. 33149
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W. J. Burton
W. J. Burton
Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, D.C. 20374
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R. H. Bennett
Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity, National Space Technology Laboratories Station, Miss. 39529
F. A. Bowles
Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity, National Space Technology Laboratories Station, Miss. 39529
D. N. Lambert
Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity, National Space Technology Laboratories Station, Miss. 39529
F. L. Nastav
Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity, National Space Technology Laboratories Station, Miss. 39529
G. F. Merrill
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories, Miami, Fla. 33149
G. Almagor
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories, Miami, Fla. 33149
W. J. Burton
Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, D.C. 20374
J. Energy Resour. Technol. Mar 1984, 106(1): 120-129 (10 pages)
Published Online: March 1, 1984
Article history
Received:
October 25, 1982
Revised:
September 29, 1983
Online:
October 22, 2009
Citation
Bennett, R. H., Bowles, F. A., Lambert, D. N., Nastav, F. L., Merrill, G. F., Almagor, G., and Burton, W. J. (March 1, 1984). "Geotechnical and Geological Factors Affecting Offshore Engineering and Seabed Utilization on a Carbonate Margin: St. Croix, V.I.." ASME. J. Energy Resour. Technol. March 1984; 106(1): 120–129. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3231007
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