Response of Seafloor to Ocean Waves

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 the transient pore-water pressures and effective stresses; and (2) STAB-W for computing residual pore-water 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 pore-water 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.