Experimental and analytical study of creep deformations of submarine slopes
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Date of Original Version
12-1-1989
Abstract
There is considerable geological and geophysical evidence that downslope sediment deformations due to creep occur on and within submarine slopes. The long-range goal of the research program described here is to determine the sedimentological and environmental conditions under which submarine slopers will experience gradual long-term downslope displacements and to develop a numerical formulation to predict the magnitudes and rates of displacements. The results of long-term drained triaxial and direct simple shear tests on Gulf of Mexico and North Pacific clays are being used to evaluate a number of constitutive creep laws for use in a finite element program under development. The experimental results indicate that a more sophisticated creep law than the Singh-Mitchell relationship will be necessary. The numerical code incorporates eight-noded isoparametric elements in mixed formulation, with displacements and pore pressures treated as independent variables. The reference slope used in the process modeling includes features that are typical for the upper slope and rise, with a number of different configurations and subbottom conditions.
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Silva, A. J., H. G. Brandes, M. H. Sadd, D. Karamanlidis, W. M. Tian, and E. P. Laine. "Experimental and analytical study of creep deformations of submarine slopes." (1989): 1530-1535. https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cve_facpubs/301