Test results of the Doppler penetrometer seafloor sediment profiling system

Doppler penetrometer systems present an economical alternative to coring for characterizing the ocean bottom. The systems are used for pipeline and cable route surveys, sub-bottom profiles, bottom mounted structure design, and mine warfare applications. Sonatech has recently developed a digital Doppler penetrometer shipset, the (PR-011), and probe family, the (PX-011). Sonatech and several end-users conducted field trials to determine the performance of the new Doppler penetrometer system in estimating depth of penetration and soil undrained shear strength. The authors describe the procedures used for the field trials and present results quantifying the performance of the Doppler penetrometer system