The ultimate goal of our research plan is to develop protocols (e.g., design guidelines, standards, manuals of practice, public education documents) for the international community that can be used to accurately characterize offshore sediments and the role they play in assessment and mitigation of geohazards.
We are developing the tools and methodologies are necessary for:
- Accurate characterization of the engineering properties of seabed sediments, in situ pore pressures, and seabed geomorphology;
- Characterization and database management/visualization of seabed property spatial variability which is a critical input for engineering stability calculations and risk assessment analysis; and
- Delineating the linkage between geohazard triggering mechanisms and sediment properties/seabed geomorphology.
The technical research themes outlined nominally follow a chronological sequence of activities that are required in the assessment of offshore geohazards and their mitigation. The core of the technical research will be conducted by the PI/Co-PIs working with a team of PhD level graduate students. A minimum of two lead International Theme Leaders-Advisors are assigned to each theme to strengthen the potential for a successful collaboration and outcome.
