ABSTRACT

Penetrometers are widely used to investigate the mechanical properties of soils and to embed objects in soil deposits, especially anchors and other items in the sea floor. Free falling penetrometers have been employed to provide information on the strength of seabed sediments. Such tests can be envisaged as the dynamic equivalent of a static cone penetration test (CPT). They can provide useful data such as the total depth and time of penetration and the deceleration characteristics of the falling penetrometer. Potentially, these data can then be used to deduce strength parameters for the soil in situ. Other types of projectiles are also used to embed anchors and other objects deeply in the sea floor. Large scale anchors of this type have been employed for ship moorings and the mooring of floating (offshore) petroleum production facilities.