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Promoting Sustainable Marine Development: Geotechnical Engineering Problems and Environmental Guarantee Technology in Marine Space, Energy and Resource Development

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Oceans".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2023) | Viewed by 9230

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Offshore Geotechnics and Material of Zhejiang Province, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Interests: wave–-seabed–-structure interaction; offshore foundation; submarine pipeline; mooring system
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Advanced Modelling, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), 0480 Oslo, Norway
Interests: offshore geotechnics and ocean engineering, including the bearing capacity of anchors, mooring line–soil interaction, mooring system dynamics and sand–steel interface interaction; laboratory tests (centrifuge and element tests); numerical simulations (abaqus and comsol)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Interests: jacket supported offshore wind turbine; pile-soil interface shear behavior and modeling; suction caisson

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In order to coordinate the conflict between economic development and climate change and solve the energy crisis, countries worldwide are actively developing forms of renewable energy, including solar energy, hydropower, geothermal energy and wind energy.

Among all renewable energy sources, solar energy, hydropower and onshore wind energy are limited by region and environment. The ocean is important in the development of forms of renewable energy, including marine wind energy, wave energy and tidal energy. Simultaneously, it is rich in marine resources, including various marine biological resources, marine oil and mineral resources.

In the development of marine resources, various offshore structures, including ships, platforms and seabed systems, are generally used. The long-term supporting structures of these systems generally face geotechnical problems. Therefore, a full understanding of these geotechnical problems is necessary to solve these problems. In addition, seabed-induced earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides and other issues also have an important impact on the development of marine resources. The development of various oil and gas resources and mineral resources on the seabed also faces geotechnical problems.

In order to promote the sustainable development of marine space, energy and resources, this study focuses on the geotechnical problems in marine technology development. It is hoped that the Special Issue will promote the solution of geotechnical problems, technical exchange and industrial applications in this field. Any issues related to this field can be submitted to and published in this Special Issue.

Authors are invited to submit their original research articles, case studies and review articles that concern any of the following subjects:

  • Supported foundations for offshore wind turbines, including monopile, suction caisson, jacket, floating and other forms.
  • The geotechnical engineering of islands and reefs, including ground improvement, slope erosion, seabed instability, ecological reinforcement and others.
  • The foundations of anchoring systems, including the suction anchor, torpedo anchor, plate anchor, pile and others.
  • Mooring lines, including chain–seabed interactions, local trenches near the touch down zone and others.
  • Marine geological hazards, including earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides and other issues.
  • Marine pipeline engineering, including pipe–seabed interaction during the laying process and when in service.
  • Costal engineering concerning hydrodynamics and related geotechnical problems, including waves, currents and sediment transport; coastal, estuarine and offshore morphology; the technical and functional design of coastal and harbor structures; the morphological and environmental impact of coastal, harbor and offshore structures.
  • Shallow gas disasters in offshore areas, including gas production, transportation in soil and prevention and control methods to reduce the effects of these disasters on offshore structures.
  • Deep-water oil and gas exploitation, including the exploitation theory and technics, and its effects on the environment.
  • Geological CO2 storage, including the injection, storage and transportation process.
  • The occurrence, migration and dissolution of marine pollutants.
  • Geotechnical engineering problems such as the construction, operation and recycling of marine pasture.

Note that this list is not exclusive. Authors can submit articles that address subjects other than those mentioned but are related to the theme of sustainable materials.

Prof. Dr. Zhen Guo
Dr. Shengjie Rui
Dr. Wenjie Zhou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • offshore geotechnics
  • offshore wind turbine
  • offshore foundations
  • piles
  • mooring systems
  • anchors
  • marine pipeline
  • wave
  • erosions
  • seabed stability
  • marine geological hazards
  • geotechnical engineering of islands
  • geological CO2 storage
  • deep-water oil and gas exploitation
  • wave energy conversion
  • soil–structure interaction

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 181 KiB  
Editorial
Promoting Sustainable Marine Development: Geotechnical Engineering Problems and Environmental Guarantee Technology in Marine Space, Energy, and Resource Development
by Shengjie Rui, Zhen Guo and Wenjie Zhou
Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14424; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914424 - 01 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 760
Abstract
To coordinate the conflict between economic development and climate change caused by energy consumption, countries worldwide are actively developing renewable energy, including solar energy, hydropower, and wind energy [...] Full article

Research

Jump to: Editorial

17 pages, 4102 KiB  
Article
A Framework for Mooring and Anchor Design in Sand Considering Seabed Trenches Based on Floater Hydrodynamics
by Shengjie Rui, Hang Xu, Long Teng, Chen Xi, Xingye Sun, Haojie Zhang and Kanmin Shen
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9403; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129403 - 12 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2559
Abstract
Seabed trenches reduce anchor capacity. However, the adverse influence is not considered in the current design, and no guideline is found in engineering practice. This paper presents a framework for mooring and anchor design in sand considering seabed trenches based on floater hydrodynamics. [...] Read more.
Seabed trenches reduce anchor capacity. However, the adverse influence is not considered in the current design, and no guideline is found in engineering practice. This paper presents a framework for mooring and anchor design in sand considering seabed trenches based on floater hydrodynamics. First, a hydrodynamic calculation of the studied floater coupled with the mooring system was conducted. Then, the potential trench profile was assessed using a mooring line–seabed dynamic model. Third, after assessing the suction anchor performance based on its installation and capacity, a refined anchor, caisson–plate gravity anchor (CPGA), was proposed, and the capacity mechanisms were analyzed. It was found that the tensions of mooring lines l1 and l2 resist maximum loads under a 45° load condition. Due to the sand’s high strength, a trench is difficult to form in this mooring type. The suction anchor is not suitable as an anchor for the carbonate sand, considering its installation and capacity. The analyses indicate that the increase in soil stress and soil mobilized range in front of the caisson promotes the capacity of CPGA. This paper provides a framework/example to design moorings and anchors considering potential trenches and provides a solution to the anchor design in carbonate sand. Full article
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14 pages, 5198 KiB  
Article
Study on Anchoring Characteristics and Freeze–Thaw Degradation Law of the Cement-Based Early-Strength Anchor in Freeze–Thaw Regions
by Ming Yang, Shenggui Deng and Zizhang Dong
Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 7773; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15107773 - 09 May 2023
Viewed by 995
Abstract
This article focuses on the effect of freeze–thaw cycling on a cement-based early-strength anchor material, the compressive strength of which at 24 h is 14 times that of ordinary cement, and the compressive strength at 7 h is twice that of ordinary cement. [...] Read more.
This article focuses on the effect of freeze–thaw cycling on a cement-based early-strength anchor material, the compressive strength of which at 24 h is 14 times that of ordinary cement, and the compressive strength at 7 h is twice that of ordinary cement. The setting time required to achieve the expected strength is 1/7 of that of ordinary cement. Through indoor freeze–thaw cycling tests, the appearance changes, quality loss, strength loss, and microstructure changes in the early-strength anchor after 0, 5, 15, 25, 50, 75, and 100 cycles were studied, revealing the evolution of the mechanical properties and micromechanisms of the cement-based early-strength anchor material under freeze–thaw cycling conditions. The sample freeze–thaw failure criteria were determined, evaluation indicators reflecting the degree of damage were defined, and their relationships with the number of freeze–thaw cycles were fitted to assess the durability of the cement-based early-strength anchor material under freeze–thaw environments. This provides a theoretical reference for further improvements in material properties and adaption to different environments. Full article
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14 pages, 6195 KiB  
Article
Influence of Currents on the Breaking Wave Forces Acting on Monopiles over an Impermeable Slope
by Shan Liu and Zhenyu Liu
Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010129 - 22 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1284
Abstract
It is known that the wave breaking process is significantly affected by a current, but little attention has been paid to the effect of wave–current interaction on the breaking wave forces acting on a monopile. This study presented a total of 88 flume [...] Read more.
It is known that the wave breaking process is significantly affected by a current, but little attention has been paid to the effect of wave–current interaction on the breaking wave forces acting on a monopile. This study presented a total of 88 flume tests, among which solitary and regular breaking waves were generated with a following current. The waves propagated over an impermeable slope and induced impulsive loads on a vertical monopile. The moments on the monopile were measured utilizing a high-precision load cell, and the effect of current velocities on the peak moment was analyzed. Test results indicate that there was an obvious nonlinear effect between breaking waves and a following current. For solitary waves, a following current accelerated the breaking process, leading to an increase by 274.21% at maximum in breaking wave forces. However, for regular waves, both the wave heights and the reversing flow were restricted with the increasing velocity of a following current, delaying the wave breaking process; under the regular test conditions, the moment on the pile decreased by 65.25% at maximum. Full article
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21 pages, 38649 KiB  
Article
Soil Heterogeneity Effects on Bridge Piles Deformation under Shield Tunnelling Disturbance
by Shi Chen, Panpan Guo, Jingjing Ma, Xian Li, Hang Lin, Yanlin Zhao and Yixian Wang
Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16854; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416854 - 15 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1309
Abstract
This research examines the impact of soil heterogeneity on the bridge piles beneath a nearby tunnel excavation using Monte-Carlo stochastic analysis. Sensitivity analysis is specifically used to the variation of stratum range, variation coefficient (COV), and fluctuation distance of the soil Young’s modulus. [...] Read more.
This research examines the impact of soil heterogeneity on the bridge piles beneath a nearby tunnel excavation using Monte-Carlo stochastic analysis. Sensitivity analysis is specifically used to the variation of stratum range, variation coefficient (COV), and fluctuation distance of the soil Young’s modulus. Meanwhile, the reliability evaluation approach is also applied to systematically examine the impact of COV on the likelihood of a pile failing. The findings suggest that more consideration should be given to the degree and range of geological parameter variations in the strata surrounding the tunnel. The horizontal and vertical fluctuation distances in this project are predicted to be around 18 m and 4.5 m, respectively. The fluctuation range influences the frequency of low stiffness zones in the soil. Additionally, the variation coefficient has a significant effect on the pile deformation, presenting a positive association. The pile deformation exhibits an increasing tendency in the wake of the growing variation coefficient. More significantly, the increase of the COV will directly lead to a rising failure probability of the pile settlement. According to extensive Monte-Carlo simulation calculations, the simulation results considering the variability of soil parameters have a certain deviation from the deterministic in the perspective of probability statistics. It is quite necessary to attach importance to the soil heterogeneity effects in the pile foundation stability under construction disturbance. Full article
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16 pages, 7698 KiB  
Article
Application of Microbial-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation in Wave Erosion Protection of the Sandy Slope: An Experimental Study
by Yilong Li, Qiang Xu, Yujie Li, Yuanbei Li and Cong Liu
Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 12965; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142012965 - 11 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1282
Abstract
Sandy slope erosion leads to coast degradation and exacerbates coastal zone instability and failure. As an eco-friendly engineering technology, microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) can provide a protection method against sandy slope erosion. In this study, a series of flume tests were conducted [...] Read more.
Sandy slope erosion leads to coast degradation and exacerbates coastal zone instability and failure. As an eco-friendly engineering technology, microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) can provide a protection method against sandy slope erosion. In this study, a series of flume tests were conducted to investigate the wave erosion resistance of the MICP-treated sandy slope. The penetration tests were conducted to measure the slope surface strength, and the calcium carbonate content was evaluated by the acid washing method. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to study the microstructures of MICP-treated sand particles. In addition, the influence of MICP treatment on the wave shape and the excess pore water pressure was also analyzed. Results show that after four MICP treatments, the erosion resistance of the slope is significantly promoted, and no apparent erosion occurs after wave actions. The penetration resistance is also improved after MICP treatments, and the maximum penetration resistance of untreated and four-time MICP-treated slopes are about 0.14 MPa and 2.04 MPa, respectively. The calcium carbonate content on the slope surface can reach 7%. SEM analyses indicate that the intergranular bridging calcium carbonate crystals promote the wave erosion resistance of the sandy slope. Full article
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