Allowable ground bearing pressure saturated sand 1

[peterzwart]

Hi everybody,

We are working on the development of a subsea dredging vehicle. For the proposulsion of this machine we will make use of tracks.

For the dimensioning of these tracks we are looking for some reference values with regards to allowable bearing load for fully saturated sand.

This would be more or less the same sand as where bulldozers drive on during beach reclamation (e.g.

https://youtu.be/qFeNGWSJ2B0)

Does anyone have any numbers based on experience or does have someone have any reliable literature source?

Your insights are highly appreciated.

Thank you and with kind regards,
Peter

 

[SlideRuleEra]

Another way to look at the problem is to consider the ground contact pressure of tracked vehicles that are successful under those condition. The video shows large Caterpillar bulldozers. From the specs for a Caterpillar D9 Bulldozer:

Operating Weight = 110,225 lb.
Ground Contact Area = 45.6 ft[sup]2[/sup]

Average Ground Contact Pressure = 110,225 lb. / 45.6 ft[sup]2[/sup] = 2420 lb/ft[sup]2[/sup]

The video also shows a wheeled loader working successfully. The beach renourishment saturated sand allowable bearing pressure must be somewhat greater than 2420 lb/ft[sup]2[/sup]

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[peterzwart]

Hi Slideruleera,

Many thanks for your respone, appreciated.

Yes I had conceived the same approach. However, I don't know what safety margin I am at and also our load will not be equally distributed.

Hence, I was hoping for some experience numbers.

Anyway, many thanks for your input.
With kind regards,
Peter

 

[GC_Hopi]

You will need to contact a local contractor who has done similar work in the area. It based on experience along with trial and error ie if they get stuck then time to get the chains out. Also any good equipment operators will know the limits of the equipment.

 

[MotorCity]

To be clear, saturated sand is not the same as submerged sand. Sand on the bottom of the sea floor is being subjected to buoyancy and the weight of water above.