Index properties of sediments off Narsapur, east coast of India and their importance for offshore construction

Abstract

A large number of soil engineering and index tests (shear strength, Atterberg limits, unit weight, water content, etc.) were carried out on the 12 piston cores obtained during a cruise of R.V Samudra Kaustubh to determine various physical parameters of sediments collected from the shelf area of the Bay of Bengal off Narsapur. Maximum penetration depth of the core was 4.71 m (PC-12). Correlations were made between undrained shear strength and liquidity index, saturated unit weight with water content and porosity, and shear strength with water content, by drawing the lines of best fit curves. Comparison of above mentioned parameters as determined, clearly reveals that many of these quick and inexpensive tests adequately describe the general characteristics and behaviour of the sediments.