Sea Bed Sampler

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The project will research, design and develop an innovative Sea Bed Sampler to retrieverepresentative undisturbed samples of the soft and unconsolidated sediments to allow optimaland cutting edge foundation design solutions for sea bed structures. Current techniques andsamplers either retrieve no sample at all or only partially retrieve a sample or retrieve a highlydisturbed sample. Soft and unconsolidated sediments can extend for many metres and canhugely influence the design and construction of the foundations.The multi billion pound UK offshore industry is driven by the Oil and Gas Sector andRenewable Energy Sector both of which have structures which require sub sea foundations.These structures range from oil production platforms to cable lines which require foundationseither for the structure themselves or for mooring/anchoring points. Many North Seastructures have out lived their original design life and require improved and new foundationsand the renewable energy sector is seeking innovative and cutting edge foundation designs.For Designers to deliver optimal and cutting edge design they must have total confidence inwhat the ground is and how it will behave. This will determine the actual foundation type,method of construction and both short term and long term performance and serviceability.Current samples or lack of suitable samples leads to the Designer having to makeassumptions. These assumptions can hugely increase the risk, lead to over-engineering orresult in delays to the project. All these will result in increased costs and stifle innovation andcutting edge design solutions. The new Sea Bed Sampler will retrieve an undisturbedrepresentative sample which can be visually examined and tested in the laboratory. This willprovide the Designer with information he can rely upon and have confidence in which willcatalyse designs which will create efficiencies, reduce costs and promote innovation.