Knowledge of geotechnical soil properties in the upper meter of the seabed is important for challenges such as scour around submerged structures, management of unexploded ordnances, and generally issues associated with active sediment transport and deposition. Portable free fall penetrometers have been previously used to provide initial information on sediment type, strength, and stratification, but challenges with the calibration of empirical parameters such as the cone factor and strain rate factor hampered the derivation of geotechnical design parameters such as undrained shear strength. This challenge applies particularly in areas of more rare seabed soil conditions such as very soft estuarine sediments. This study aims to advance the analysis procedure of portable free fall penetrometers (PFFP) in soft subaquatic fine-grained soils with natural water contents greater than the liquid limit by estimating the undrained shear strength (su). The logarithmic and power law methods for strain rate correction were investigated at sites in the York River Estuary and yielded a match to vane shear results at a logarithmic multiplier of k=0.1-0.3 and a power law rate exponent of β=0.01-0.03, indicating minimal strain rate effects. Resulting representative cone factors based on sediment strength and profile groupings ranged from 7 to 12 for logarithmic, power law, and no strain correction, and were tested at sites in the Potomac River with similar sediment properties. The PFFP su compared well with mini-vane shear measurements with differences of less than ± 0.5 kPa. Additionally, the PFFP su showed inappreciable differences in strength with or without strain rate application. Therefore, these high water content soils that exhibit little strain rate effects within a soil behavior context, can be better understood through rheological studies. Rheological studies were conducted, and the storage and loss modulus were observed to remain constant when the soil is tested over a range of frequencies. This indicates that the sediment strength is not affected by the rate of soil testing. The outcome of this study is the advanced the use of the PFFP by quantifying the strain rate effects and defining the applicable cone factors for use in estimating the undrained shear strength of soft estuarine marine soils. Furthermore, the understanding of soil behavior of these soils has been explored from rheological context. / Master of Science / Presence of unexploded munitions (UXO) in waterways and coastal environments poses a danger to the populace. UXOs located proud on the seabed can be moved by hydrodynamic forces such as waves and currents to habited areas. This has prompted the need to understand how UXOs interact with the seabed regarding erosion, burial, as well as sinking. Current methods used to detect munitions can lack accuracy from unknown seabed soil conditions. Portable free fall penetrometers (PFFP) are rapid and economical tools that are used to obtain soil information in the seabed. However, the interpretation of the penetrometer data needs to be advanced to get more accurate results of soil strength. In this research, physical soil samples were retrieved and tested in the laboratory. The laboratory results were used to calibrate the PFFP to improve the estimation of soil strength from PFFP. The estuarine soil tested exhibited high water contents raising the question of whether to describe its behavior rather as soil or suspension. Further tests were carried out to study how this soil deforms and flows when a load is applied. The results from this research enable the measuring of strength of the seabed more accurately and improves the understanding of very soft estuarine soil behavior.

Free-fall penetrometers (FFP) are useful instruments for the rapid characterization of seabed sediments. However, the interpretation of FFP data remains largely a skilled task. In order to increase the reliability of results obtained using these instruments, in both expert and non-expert hands, it is advantageous to establish well defined and repeatable procedures for instrument use and data interpretation. The purpose of this research was therefore to develop and refine methods for the interpretation of FFP data. Data were gathered with the FFP Nimrod during two surveys following dredging in Sydney Harbour, Nova Scotia. The challenge of interpreting the data from these two surveys in an efficient and consistent manner was the basis of this work and led to the development of new techniques for improving resolution of the mud-line, identifying areas of erosion and deposition, and qualitatively evaluating the consolidation state of cohesive marine sediments. The method developed for improving the resolution of the mud-line simply describes a procedure of combining the data from different accelerometers with different accuracies and ranges to more clearly define the point of impact with the sea-floor. The method developed to evaluate in-situ sediment consolidation state combines theories of self-weight consolidation and ultimate bearing capacity to predict a range of potential bearing capacities for normally consolidated cohesive sediments. Finally, by combining the previous two methods a third method is proposed for locating areas of potential erosion and deposition. / Master of Science

Free-fall penetrometers (FFPs) are an attractive tool for the rapid characterization of sediments in the nearshore and coastal areas. To improve their measurement capabilities, modern FFPs can be equipped with pore pressure sensors. Pore pressure measurements are extensively used in traditional cone penetration testing, but their usage and interpretation is still limited for FFP testing. This thesis represents an effort to advance the interpretation of pore pressure measurements from FFP testing. Data was collected using the torpedo-shaped FFP BlueDrop during surveys at Herschel Island, YT, Yakutat, AK, Clay Bank, VA, and Yorktown, VA. Additionally, test deployments in the laboratory were performed in kaolin clay. Data analysis was focused on pore pressure measurements during these deployments. Two major advancements regarding current data analysis of FFP pore pressure measurements were explored: 1) a method based on fluid dynamic principles was proposed to correct the pressure recordings for the dynamic flow effects due to the high-velocity fall and impact. The results show that using Bernoulli’s theorem coupled with the concept of pressure coefficients results in good agreement between measured and hydrostatic pressures during the free-fall and initial penetration stage. 2) Pore pressure dissipation curves measured by the penetrometer at rest at maximum penetration depth were also studied. The mechanisms behind the non-standard dissipation curves were explored. The results suggest that non-standard dissipation curves can be interpreted by correcting according to Sully et al.’s (1999) extrapolation technique. The technique can also be used with data from an unsaturated or clogged filter. / Master of Science

<p>In William Golding’s Free Fall, the novel ends without its protagonist, Sammy Mountjoy, receiving the atonement he seeks. As a consequence, the novel ends in an unresolved manner, leaving Sammy in a state of suspension. Despite having a metaphysical awakening in a Nazi POW camp, the consequences of his enlightenment do not reflect the way the Sammy retrospectively narrates the tale of his life. The existentialist theories of Danish thinker and writer Søren Kierkegaard offer a solution to the dilemma. Kierkegaard’s theories concerning the aesthetic, ethical and religious spheres of life, as well as his concept of ‘existential dread’, may be used to show that Sammy is able to make a ‘leap of faith’ from the aesthetic to the ethical sphere. However, because of his inability to make the last leap into the metaphysical sphere of life, he does not attain the insight he needs, namely that he is ‘a child of the finite and infinite’. The essay relates the ways Sammy Mountjoy fits into the Sartrean and Kierkegaardian expressions of existentialism, soon moving on to describe the details of Kierkegaard’s thought concerning the three spheres of life and the concept of ‘dread’. Sammy’s preoccupation with the present, his focus on the exterior rather than the interior and his inability to commit himself to people or situations fit neatly into the criterion for the aesthetic sphere of life. This, in turn, leads him to a state of dread, which reaches its climax in the dark cupboard. When released from his imprisonment Sammy has reached a state of awareness concerning the “vital morality” between people, previously a foreign concept. However, Kierkegaard points out that also the ethical sphere is flawed, leaving the religious/metaphysical sphere as Sammy’s ultimate destination. By failing to make the final ‘leap of faith’, due to a misguided conception of the boundaries between the ethical and the Absolute, Sammy falls short of the resolution he desires and the forgiveness he seeks from the three people that have influenced him the most. Thus an explanation is proposed to the unresolved manner in which Free Fall ends.</p>

<p><!-- @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --></p><p>Free fall drop testing is an important part of the development of commercial electronic components and devices. In the process of optimizing the quality of their entire product range, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB have decided to review their free fall drop test equipment with the goal of increasing the precision, repeatability, and time efficiency of their drop test applications. In regard to the free fall drop test principle a robot system with management software, named Doris Drop Test System, is developed to meet these goals.</p><p>As the amount of related work for this application is as minimal as the timeframes for this project, the development process is empirical and entrepreneurial with engineering skills as the governing line of work. Combining the competence from fields such as mechanics, electronics and product development, reaching the goals is successful enabling the identifying of two different drop methods – Impact Position and Drop Position. Increasing the repeatability from approximately 10% to 85% enables anyone at any time to perform the exact mobile phone drop test. By reaching a precision of up to 100%, performing free fall drop tests aiming for testing specific mobile phone parts, optimizes the development process by faster detection of mechanical weaknesses. Achieving these results in parallel with increasing the throughput by shortening the testing time, has proven the success of the Doris Drop Test System.</p><p> </p>

In William Golding’s Free Fall, the novel ends without its protagonist, Sammy Mountjoy, receiving the atonement he seeks. As a consequence, the novel ends in an unresolved manner, leaving Sammy in a state of suspension. Despite having a metaphysical awakening in a Nazi POW camp, the consequences of his enlightenment do not reflect the way the Sammy retrospectively narrates the tale of his life. The existentialist theories of Danish thinker and writer Søren Kierkegaard offer a solution to the dilemma. Kierkegaard’s theories concerning the aesthetic, ethical and religious spheres of life, as well as his concept of ‘existential dread’, may be used to show that Sammy is able to make a ‘leap of faith’ from the aesthetic to the ethical sphere. However, because of his inability to make the last leap into the metaphysical sphere of life, he does not attain the insight he needs, namely that he is ‘a child of the finite and infinite’. The essay relates the ways Sammy Mountjoy fits into the Sartrean and Kierkegaardian expressions of existentialism, soon moving on to describe the details of Kierkegaard’s thought concerning the three spheres of life and the concept of ‘dread’. Sammy’s preoccupation with the present, his focus on the exterior rather than the interior and his inability to commit himself to people or situations fit neatly into the criterion for the aesthetic sphere of life. This, in turn, leads him to a state of dread, which reaches its climax in the dark cupboard. When released from his imprisonment Sammy has reached a state of awareness concerning the “vital morality” between people, previously a foreign concept. However, Kierkegaard points out that also the ethical sphere is flawed, leaving the religious/metaphysical sphere as Sammy’s ultimate destination. By failing to make the final ‘leap of faith’, due to a misguided conception of the boundaries between the ethical and the Absolute, Sammy falls short of the resolution he desires and the forgiveness he seeks from the three people that have influenced him the most. Thus an explanation is proposed to the unresolved manner in which Free Fall ends.

Olyckor sker vid övning med frifallslivbåtar. Detta borde gå att arbeta bort med bättre utrustning och bättre utbildning. Eftersom olyckor inträffar oftare vid övning ombord i fartygen än vid övning iland borde den senare biten vara mer avgörande: Vid övningar bör vikt läggas vid hur man spänner fast sig på ett korrekt sätt. Ovanstående är en del av vad denna undersökande studie handlar om. Vi har använt en kvalitativ metod för att reda ut frågor om riskerna med frifallslivbåtar. SOLAS ställer inga krav på att det skall finnas hjälpmedel för att underlätta att ta med sig skadade personer i frifallslivbåtar. De tester som genomförts med människor ombord i frifallslivbåtar har bara skett när det råder gynnsamma förhållanden. Med tanke på att fartyg utsätts både för sjöhävning och att båtarna kan komma att landa i vågor borde SOLAS kraven höjas. De livbåtssystem vi har, varken testas eller övas med i vågor. Att frifallslivbåtar i tanken är ett väldigt bra koncept som livräddningsutrustning råder det inga tvivel om, men den borde utvecklas vidare. / Accidents occur when exercising with free-fall lifeboats. This should be possible to avoid with better equipment and better education. Since accidents occur more often when exercise is performed aboard ships than ashore, the later part should be more decisive: During exercise the focus should be put on how to buckle up in a correct way. The above text is a part of what this investigative study is about, we have used a qualitative method for sorting out questions about the risks with free-fall lifeboats. SOLAS does not put any demands on the existence of aiding equipment to facilitate bringing injured persons in a free-fall lifeboat. The tests that have been performed with people onboard free-fall lifeboats have only taken place during favourable conditions. Considering that ships are exposed to the motion of the sea and that the boat could land on a wave the SOLAS demands should be increased. The lifeboat systems we have, is neither tested nor practised with in waves. That free-fall lifeboats is a good concept as a lifesaving equipment, there is no doubt about, but it should be developed further.

<p>Olyckor sker vid övning med frifallslivbåtar. Detta borde gå att arbeta bort med bättre utrustning och bättre utbildning. Eftersom olyckor inträffar oftare vid övning ombord i fartygen än vid övning iland borde den senare biten vara mer avgörande: Vid övningar bör vikt läggas vid hur man spänner fast sig på ett korrekt sätt. Ovanstående är en del av vad denna undersökande studie handlar om. Vi har använt en kvalitativ metod för att reda ut frågor om riskerna med frifallslivbåtar. SOLAS ställer inga krav på att det skall finnas hjälpmedel för att underlätta att ta med sig skadade personer i frifallslivbåtar. De tester som genomförts med människor ombord i frifallslivbåtar har bara skett när det råder gynnsamma förhållanden. Med tanke på att fartyg utsätts både för sjöhävning och att båtarna kan komma att landa i vågor borde SOLAS kraven höjas. De livbåtssystem vi har, varken testas eller övas med i vågor. Att frifallslivbåtar i tanken är ett väldigt bra koncept som livräddningsutrustning råder det inga tvivel om, men den borde utvecklas vidare.</p> / <p>Accidents occur when exercising with free-fall lifeboats. This should be possible to avoid with better equipment and better education. Since accidents occur more often when exercise is performed aboard ships than ashore, the later part should be more decisive: During exercise the focus should be put on how to buckle up in a correct way. The above text is a part of what this investigative study is about, we have used a qualitative method for sorting out questions about the risks with free-fall lifeboats. SOLAS does not put any demands on the existence of aiding equipment to facilitate bringing injured persons in a free-fall lifeboat. The tests that have been performed with people onboard free-fall lifeboats have only taken place during favourable conditions. Considering that ships are exposed to the motion of the sea and that the boat could land on a wave the SOLAS demands should be increased. The lifeboat systems we have, is neither tested nor practised with in waves. That free-fall lifeboats is a good concept as a lifesaving equipment, there is no doubt about, but it should be developed further.</p>

<!-- @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> Free fall drop testing is an important part of the development of commercial electronic components and devices. In the process of optimizing the quality of their entire product range, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB have decided to review their free fall drop test equipment with the goal of increasing the precision, repeatability, and time efficiency of their drop test applications. In regard to the free fall drop test principle a robot system with management software, named Doris Drop Test System, is developed to meet these goals. As the amount of related work for this application is as minimal as the timeframes for this project, the development process is empirical and entrepreneurial with engineering skills as the governing line of work. Combining the competence from fields such as mechanics, electronics and product development, reaching the goals is successful enabling the identifying of two different drop methods – Impact Position and Drop Position. Increasing the repeatability from approximately 10% to 85% enables anyone at any time to perform the exact mobile phone drop test. By reaching a precision of up to 100%, performing free fall drop tests aiming for testing specific mobile phone parts, optimizes the development process by faster detection of mechanical weaknesses. Achieving these results in parallel with increasing the throughput by shortening the testing time, has proven the success of the Doris Drop Test System.

Portable Free Fall Penetrometers (PFFPs) are lightweight tools used for rapid and economic characterization of surficial subaqueous sediments. PFFPs vary in weight, shape and size with options for using add-on units. The different configurations enable deployments in various environments and water depths, including the nearshore zone where conventional methods are challenged by energetic hydrodynamics and limited navigable depth. Moreover, PFFPs offer an opportunity to reduce the high site investigation costs associated with conventional offshore geotechnical site investigation methods. These costs are often a major obstacle for small projects serving remote communities or testing novel renewable energy harvesting machines. However, PFFPs still face issues regarding data analysis and interpretation, particularly in energetic sandy nearshore areas. This includes a lack of data and accepted analysis methods for such environments. Therefore, the goal of this research was to advance data interpretation and sediments characterization methods using PFFPs with emphasis on deployments in energetic nearshore environments. PFFP tests were conducted in the nearshore areas of: Yakutat Bay, AK; Cannon Beach, AK; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Field Research Facility's beach, Duck, NC. From the measurements, the research goal was addressed by: (1) introducing a methodology to create a regional sediment classification scheme utilizing the PFFP deceleration and pore pressure measurements, sediment traces on the probe upon retrieval, and previous literature; (2) investigating the effect of wave forcing on the sediments' behavior through correlating variations in sediment strength to wave climate, sandbar migration, and depth of closure, as well as identifying areas of significant sediment mobilization processes; and (3) estimating the relative density and friction angle of sand in energetic nearshore areas from PFFP measurements. For the latter, the field data was supported by vacuum triaxial tests and PFFP deployments under controlled laboratory conditions on sand samples prepared at different relative densities. The research outcomes address gaps in knowledge with regard to the limited studies available that investigate the sand geotechnical properties in energetic nearshore areas. More specifically, the research contributes to the understanding of surficial sediment geotechnical properties in energetic nearshore areas and the enhancement of sediment characterization and interpretation methods. / PHD