Parametric analysis of performances of free-fall penetrators in deep-ocean sediments

The use of free-fail penetrators is being now actively considered by many national and international organizations as a possible option for the safe final, disposal of high-level radioactive waste in vitrified form within deep-ocean sedimentary geological formations. The present paper describes methods and results of a study aimed at highlighting the effects of a number of different parameters on penetrator performance. This work is intended as a preparation of a new series of tests to be carried out during 1984-1986 to assess the present modeling capabilities in more detail. An initial experiment carried out in March 1983, using large model penetrators (3.25 m long, 0.325 m diameter, weight 1.8 tons in air) has successfully demonstrated that it is feasible to design free-fall vehicles which are capable of reaching terminal velocities of 45-50 m/s and embedding themselves up to thirty meters in clayey deep-sea sediments.