Observations of Geoacoustic and Geotechnical Properties of Sediments at the James River

Joe Calantoni1, Nick Brilli2, Nina Stark3, Edward F Braithwaite III4, Samuel Griffith5, Charles Key1, Julian Simeonov1, Kidwell Autumn6 and Marcia Isakson7, (1)U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, MS, United States, (2)Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States, (3)Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, United States, (4)US Naval Research Laboratory, Ocean Sciences Division, Stennis Space Center, United States, (5)U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Ocean Sciences Division, Stennis Space Center, United States, (6)University of Texas at Austin, Applied Research Laboratories, Austin, TX, United States, (7)University of Texas at Austin, Applied Research Laboratories, TX, United States
Abstract:
As part of an Office of Naval Research (ONR), Departmental Research Initiative (DRI) known as Undersea Remote Sensing (USRS). From 20-23 April 2019, sediment samples that included gravity cores and Smith-McIntyre grabs were attempted at 58 stations over roughly a 15 km long reach around Newport News, VA. Penetrometer drops were co-located with sediment sampling operations. Finally, a high frequency sonar system was deployed using a REMUS 600 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) to acoustically map and characterize the riverine and estuarine bathymetry. We will investigate correlations among the disparate data to develop a mathematical connection between the typical acoustic description of sediments (e.g., through the bulk density) and the geotechnical description of sediments (e.g., described by shear parameters). Discussion will focus on providing links between the data to justify a theoretical framework to link the geoacoustic and geotechnical properties of saturated sediments. [Work sponsored by the Office of Naval Research.]
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