Sediment characteristics and bearing capacity in an artificial reef area of Ma’an Archipelago

Artificial reef is an important part of marine ranching, and the scientific site selection is a necessary step of artificial reef area construction. By columnar sampling in the alternative region of Ma’an Archipelago waters in Shengsi, Zhejiang Province, physical properties including particle size, moisture content, natural density, and mechanical properties of penetration strength and shear strength were analyzed. The results showed that the sediments were mainly composed of sand, silty sand and clay, and the main component is sandy silt. The bottom sediments of different regions are different because of their various particle sizes, porosity, natural density, etc., so the bearing capacity of sediments also is different. Correlation analysis between the physical properties and mechanical properties showed that the moisture content of sediment and penetration strength, shear strength of failure are very strong in linear negative correlation, and the correlation coefficients are −0.67 and −0.64, respectively. These correlations could be used as an important reference for artificial reef sites suitability assessment. After the regression equation between sediment moisture content and particle size was established, it can provide a scientific basis for the analysis and research of sediment bearing capacity on a larger scale, also can reduce the cost of the investigation of sediment properties greatly.