Foundation Study for Materials Tests Structure

A foundation study was conducted to determine the suitability of the proposed site for placement of the Submersible Test Unit II (STU II) series. The proposed site was an area approximately two miles square in the vicinity of 34○ 05.5' N, 120○ 43.0' W, some 14 miles west of San Miguel Island, California. Eight cores were taken to determine the engineering properties of the sediments in this area. To aid in the site evaluation, a bathymetric chart was constructed using data obtained from the Precision Depth Recorder and positioning instruments aboard the USS MOLALA. With the resulting data from laboratory tests on the samples, computations for bearing capacity and settlement were made. The calculated average bearing capacity was 300 psf. Based on the applied structural loading pressure of 110 psf, the total settlement was calculated to be 1.7 in. Statistical evaluation of the test results formulated relationships for vane shear strength and bulk wet density that could be used in site reconnaissance studies.