
142 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 2T
h) previous usage of seafloor;
i) gas hydrates.
The geophysical study should be evaluated within the context of a geological model to determine the
existence of any geological feature(s) that might have an effect on the design (i.e. a geological risk
assessment shall be performed to assess the affect of geological features on the TLP performance).
The survey should use geophysical equipment and practices appropriate to the water depth of interest and
provide high-resolution imaging of the seafloor as well as detailed stratigraphic information to a reasonable
penetration below the zone of influence of the structure. In addition, the survey scope should encompass both
the lateral and vertical extent of possible geological features that may be a constraint to the design of the
foundation. The bedding resolution of the survey should be such that it can be used to interpret the
geotechnical data.
10.2.2.4 Geotechnical Investigation
The subsurface investigation should obtain geotechnical data concerning the stratigraphy and the lateral
variability of the soil. The sampling and in-situ testing intervals should ensure that a reasonably continuous
profile is obtained within each significant stratigraphic layer. The design soil parameters in various soil strata
should be determined from a field program that tests the soil in as nearly an undisturbed state as feasible.
Because the quality of soil samples can be expected to decrease with increasing water depth, the use of in-
situ testing techniques are recommended for deepwater sites. In addition, soil samples will be required to
characterize the soil types and provide other basic engineering property data.
The number and scope of the borings will depend on the quality and interpretation of the high-resolution
geophysical study. Based on the geophysical survey, significant lateral stratigraphic variability may require
that more than one boring be obtained. For pile foundations, the minimum penetration of at least one boring
shall exceed the anticipated design penetration. For piled or non-piled gravity foundations, the minimum
penetration of each boring should be related to the expected zone of influence of the loads imposed by the
base. Appropriate in-situ tests should be carried out, where possible, to a penetration that will include the soil
layers influenced by the foundation components. Additional shallow sampling and testing may be necessary
to allow accurate predictions of near-surface soil-foundation interaction, and to assess the variation of soil
stratigraphy across the site. Recovered samples, which are to be sent to an onshore laboratory, should be
carefully packaged to minimize disturbance, changes in moisture content, and temperature variations.
Samples should be labeled and the results of the initial inspection of the samples recorded, including soil
fabric, color and sample disturbance.
10.2.2.5 Soil Testing Program
The soil-testing program should consist of in-situ and laboratory tests to establish classification properties for
all significant strata and initial estimates of the soil’s strength and deformation properties. When applicable,
testing should be performed in accordance with ASTM or other applicable standards. Additional testing should
be performed to define the creep and cyclic behavior of the soil to allow prediction of soil structure interaction
due to sustained and cyclic loading. Some examples of the scope of deepwater investigations and the
interpretation of data are given in Doyle (1998)
[126]
; Jeanjean, et al. (1998)
[161]
; Andersen and Lauritzen
(1988)
[90]
; Andersen, et al. (1988)
[89]
; Andersen (1991)
[91]
; Dutt, et al. (1992)
[130]
; and Pelletier, et al. (1997)
[207]
. Consideration should be given to the performance of permeability and consolidation tests in order to
understand setup effects for piled structures and capacity consideration for suction caissons.
Additional Studies—as applicable, additional analytical studies or scaled tests should be performed to assess
the following effects:
a) scouring potential;
b) hydraulic instability and occurrence of sand waves;
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