Geotechnical properties of sediments from the north central pacific and northern Bermuda rise

Studies of geotechnical properties for the Sub‐seabed Disposal Program have been oriented toward sediment characterization related to effectiveness as a containment medium and determination of detailed engineering behavior. Consolidation tests of the deeper samples in the North Pacific clays indicate that the sediment column is normally consolidated. The in‐situ coefficient of permeability (k) within the cored depth of 25 m is relatively constant at 10−7 cm/sec. Consolidated un‐drained (CIU) triaxial tests indicate stress‐strain properties characteristic of saturated clays, with effective angles of friction of 35° for smectite and 31° for illite. These results are being used in computer modeling efforts. Samples from the Northern Bermuda Rise show the variable water contents and low shear strengths reported earlier for this region.