IMTRODUCTION 



Subtask Y-F015-01-00l(c)^ "Effects of Deep-Ocean Environment on 

 Materials," is part (c) of Task y~F015 -01-001, "Deep Ocean Studies," 

 assigned to NCEL by the Bureau of Yards and Docks. 



The object of the basic task is to develop systems and techniques 

 for construction in deep-ocean areas. The purpose of this report is to 

 describe the program for the execution of that part of the task related 

 to the effects of the deep-ocean environment on materials and to summarize 

 the progress made in this program since the issuance of the preceding 

 progress report, TN-380j, published 23 March I96G. 



SCOPE OF DEEP -OCEAN MATERIALS INVESTIGATION 



While no specific structures or equipment are delineated in the 

 scope of the investigation, it is reasonable to assume that they will 

 eventually include the following types, as well as other more exotic 

 types of submerged facilities: 



Structures on which to mount antisubmarine warfare gear 

 Fuel caches 

 Supply depots 

 Refueling stations 

 Submarine repair facilities 

 Nuclear weapon shelters 



Utility (water, air, heat, electricity, etc.) systems for under- 

 water habitation 

 Heavy mobile construction equipment 

 Power-generating stations 



It is apparent that most known significant types of engineering 

 materials may be involved and that eventually they should be evaluated 

 for deep-ocean applications. It is also clear that this is a monxmaiental 

 task which could easily involve the concerted efforts of a large number 

 of engineers and scientists for many years » It is therefore necessary 

 to place limitations on any list of materials to be tested in the first 

 phases of this program. Another reason for limiting the initial materials 

 list is that it is always possible that the proposed experiments may show 

 that the information already available concerning the behavior of materials 



