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Oceanography and Atmospheric Sci.Meteorology

Real-Time Characterization of Mine Scour Burial at the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory

Authors: Michael D. Richardson; Edward F. Braithwaite III; Sean Griffin; John Bradley; Carl T. Friedrichs; NAVAL RESEARCH LAB STENNIS SPACE CENTER MS MARINE GEOSCIENCES DIV
Abstract:
Mine burial by scour was measured in real-time using two cylindrical instrumented mines connected to a shore-based facility at the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory (MVCO). Data on mine movement (heading, pitch, and roll), scour pit geometry, percent burial, and environmental processes responsible for scour burial, including significant wave height, period, and tidal height were analyzed daily and presented on the NRL web site (http://www7430.nrlssc.navy. mil/bblp/mine/realtimedata). Scour pits developed in response to storm-generated wave heights of up to 2.5-meters that occurred within the first 5 days of the experiments. The two instrumented mines pitched (3 to 9 degrees), rolled (35 to 55 degrees), and reoriented to align axially (up to 40 degrees) with incoming swell as they rolled into scour pits. The mines were buried level with the seafloor after a second storm. Subsequent storms with wave heights up to 3.5- meters were unable to further bury the mines. A comparison of the observed mine burial and real-time predictions (http://www.vims.edu/physical/projects/CHSD/ projects/MBP) using a modified Whitehouse-Soulsby, wave-induced scour model were nearly identical, suggesting mine burial by scour is predictable from bathymetry, sediment type, and measured or predicted surface wave conditions. (13 figures, 7 refs.)

Limitations: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Description: Conference paper
Pages: 7
Report Date: 2004
Report Number: A782924
Keywords relating to this report:
BATHYMETRY
BEARING(DIRECTION)
BURIED OBJECTS
COASTAL REGIONS
CYLINDRICAL BODIES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATHEMATICAL PREDICTION
MINE DETECTION
OCEAN BOTTOM
OCEAN WAVES
PITCH(MOTION)
REAL TIME
ROLL
SEDIMENTS
SHALLOW WATER
STORMS
SURFACE WAVES
SYMPOSIA
TIDES
UNDERWATER MINES
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