The Rapid Deployment System: A Method for Conducting In Situ Soil Tests from Moving Ice in The Arctic Offshore

by Larry J. Mahar, Earth Technology Corp, Long Beach, CA, USA,
Bruce J. Douglas, Earth Technology Corp, Long Beach, CA, USA,
Andrew Strutynsky, Earth Technology Corp, Long Beach, CA, USA,
Kandiah Arulmoli, Earth Technology Corp, Long Beach, CA, USA,
Brian J. A. Stuckert, Earth Technology Corp, Long Beach, CA, USA,
John Reh, Earth Technology Corp, Long Beach, CA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Civil Engineering in the Arctic Offshore

Abstract:

A new system was developed which permits rapid helicopter assisted transport of a light-weight in situ geotechnical testing system to remote offshore sites situated on unstable first-year or multi-year pack ice outside the transition zone in the arctic. The system is designed to permit rapid deployment of a seafloor suction anchor reaction system and a Cone Penetrometer instrument to the sea bottom to conduct a Cone Penetrometer Test (CPT) and quickly demobilize from a site before ice movements become excessive. The development and operational procedures of the Rapid Deployment System (RDS) for conducting Cone Penetrometer Test Soundings from a moving ice surface in the arctic are presented. The operation of the unique seafloor suction anchor is described along with a discussion of the first successful field operation of the system conducted in the winter of 1984 in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea.

Subject Headings: Penetration tests | Field tests | Ice | Sea floor | Measuring instruments | Soil suction | Light (artificial) | Arctic | Beaufort Sea

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