Preliminary geotechnical properties of deepsea sediments from the Central Indian Basin

Abstract

Geotechnical properties of the Plio-Pleistocene sediments from nodule bearing area in the Central Indian Basin have been studied to know shear strength and water content variation with depth. It reveals that surface sediments have low (less than 1 kPa) shear strength which increases with depth. Average undrained shear strength of siliceous sediments is 3.6kPa and average water content is 430%. Sediments have high porosity (88-93%) and imply compressible nature. Bioturbated layers show increase in water content and reduction in shear strength. Calcareous core collected from nodule barren area indicates low water content (201%) and wide scatter in shear strength (3-14kPa)