58 



program of exploratory development. The ulti- 

 mate goal is to create, train and equip two con- 

 struction battalions to perform under^^ater 

 operational and logistic support tasks. Industr\' 

 will be pro\ided \vith data on deep ocean construc- 

 tion materials, equipment, and techniques. The 

 Bureau ser\es the oceanographic community as 

 the lead agency in the de\elopment of deep ocean 

 civil engineeiing and its associated technolog)-. 



The program is based on the following assimip- 

 tions: 



All manned structures on the ocean floor 



will be of the pressiue hull type based on 



submarine design concepts. 



All manned structures will ha\e a small 



positive buoyancy or jettisonable elements to 



provide for sinfacing in an emergencw 

 Prefabrication will be used to the maximum 



extent feasible. 



Power and communications will be the onh 



underwater utilities lequired. 



Proposed FY 1965 Program 



For planning purposes, the Deep Ocean Civil 

 Engineering Program carried out at the Naval 

 Civil Engineering Laboratory at Port Hueneme, 

 California, is divided into seven principal areas 

 of technical interest. Detailed objectives developed 

 for each area are summarized below; 



Site Selection and Surveys 



This project entails the creation of surve\ing 

 and mapping systems for imderwater construc- 

 tion and the translation of known reference points 

 from bottom-to-smface and surface-to-bottom. 

 Site surveys also include the gathering of informa- 

 tion on the particular en\ironmental parameters 

 relative to materials selection, currents and 

 biological conditions. In FY 1967 a compre- 

 hensive review of available equipment will be 

 undertaken as a basis for the assembly of sinveying 

 systems suitable for construction purposes. 



Bottom Soil Pioperties and Foundations 



Testing procedures must be de\eloped for 

 underwater (in situ) determination of plate 

 bearing ratios, long-term settlement, shear 

 strengths, and the dynamic bearing capabilities of 



bottom soils. Laboratory testing j^rocedines for 

 samples reco\ered will be impro\ed. Stiitable en- 

 gineering test methods are required to pro\ide 

 a technical competence in this new field. 



Techniques for predicting the stabilit\ of 

 bottom slopes, as related to submarine slides, 

 turbidity cmrent action, and seismic distuibances 

 will also be included in the engineering properties 

 evaluation studies. 



The effort in FY 1967 will include further 

 studies and testing of soils in a jaressine vessel, 

 in situ, and the laboratory, using core samples. 



Construction Equipment 



The most attractive concept for construction 

 envisions the structine being manufactured else- 

 where, towed to the site and lowered. More 

 elaborate facilities woidd be prefabricated in 

 sections. 



This \vill require systems for handling, placing, 

 lowering and assembling com]Donents (up to 

 150 tons) in a deep ocean en\ironment. Con- 

 ceptual studies on materials handling units, 

 excavating, and welding are planned for FY 1967. 

 Development programs in these areas will also be 

 initiated as design criteria are established. 



Anchors and Moorings 



Deep sea anchoring systems of up to 300,000 

 lbs. hold capacity will be developed. In addition to 

 systems of ultra-high capabilities, precision 

 moorings with low excursion radii will also be 

 studied. FY 1967 plans include finther develop- 

 ment of embedment anchors and the installation 

 of prototype moorings. 



Design and Construction 



The Bureau's Civil Engineering Laboratory is 

 continuing a study of the behavior of materials in 

 the deep ocean environment. Compilation of 

 inff)rmation on the responses of materials will 

 lead to improved design and construction of 

 fixed installations on the ocean bottom. Deep 

 water operations will be simulated in shallow 

 water experiments. Comjailed information on the 

 designs, methods and equipment for deep ocean 

 construction will be published for the guidance 

 of engineers. 



