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Accession Number:
ADA167240
Title:
Ocean Thermal Conversion (OTEC) Project Bottom Cable Protection Study: Environmental Characteristics and Hazards Analysis,
Descriptive Note:
Corporate Author:
NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING COMMAND WASHINGTON DC CHESAPEAKE DIV
Report Date:
1981-10-01
Pagination or Media Count:
215.0
Abstract:
Seafloor cable protection criteria and technology as applied to the four proposed OTEC plant sites and cable routes at Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam and Florida were examined. Study of environmental characteristics for each site covered A natural factors of location, tide and currents, wind and wave, bottom soil type and seafloor movement and B man-made factors such as ship traffic, fishing activities, ocean mining, government regulations. These characteristics were studied to determine the hazards which are potential sources of damage to a cable system. Hazards include chafe and corrosion, hydrodynamic forces due to wave and current action, mudslides, earthquakes, trawler andor dredge action and ship anchors. An analysis of the history of submarine cable failures was conducted. Included are the probabilities of damage related to water depth. Probabilities become minimal for all hazards in water depths of 1,500 feet and more. Chafe and corrosion had the highest probability of causing damage to a seafloor cable compared to the other hazards. Because of the hazards present at all sites, cable burial is recommended as the best means of protection. Keywords Submarine cables, Electric power cables, Ocean environments.
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
