Integrated Geoscience Study of Charleston TACTS Platform Locations

An integrated geoscience study was performed at the eight platform locations that comprise the Tactical Aircrew Training Range (TACTS) located in the Atlantic Ocean offshore Georgia. The investigation included a geophysical survey and geotechnical borings with in situ testing at each platform location. A new type of in situ testing system, the Dolphin system, was first used on this project. The data was interpreted by integrating the geotechnical and geophysical data to develop a geologic model of the site. The geologic model was used to evaluate geologic constraints on site development as well as design procedure applicability to the project location. The foundation analyses focused on three alternatives; pile supported structures, gravity structures, and semisubmersible buoys.