Response of Seafloor to Ocean Waves

Abstract

Methods for estimating the stability of the ocean floor under wave loading and the determination of wave‐induced pore‐water pressures are critically reviewed. Two new computer programs for analyzing the effects of waves on the seafloor are described: (1) STAB‐MAX for computing transient pore‐water pressures and effective stresses; and (2) STAB‐W for computing residual porewater pressures and estimating liquefaction potential. Predictions by STAB‐MAX are verified by field measurements of transient wave‐induced pore‐water pressures. Ranges of validity of simple procedures for predicting transient porewater pressures are established. Parametric studies are described which provide data on the pore‐water pressure response of dense and loose sands over a wide range of anisotropic permeabilities.