Thermo-Mechanical Behavior of Seafloor Sediments

A laboratory investigation of the thermo-mechanical response of deep ocean sediments has been performed. The study encompasses the range of thermal loadings expected for the emplacement of a canister of radioactive waste approximately 30 m below the seafloor in deep ocean waters. The experimental program included mechanical and thermal consolidation, undrained triaxial compressive strength and constant stress level creep tests on seafloor sediments over a temperature range of 4-200 °C.