Abstract
The ocean covers approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface, with over 80% categorized as deep sea. The deep sea, defined as depths greater than 200 m, is considered the most significant and last frontier within the marine environment. Emerging innovative projects have recently explored offshore wind power generation, seabed resource mining, carbon dioxide capture and storage, and deep-sea cities. One of the key challenges with construction in the deep sea is the high-water pressure, which increases by 1 MPa per 100 m of depth. The surrounding water pressure constrains concrete and increases its strength, but, because concrete is porous, seawater can permeate through the voids. This is particularly relevant when concrete manufactured on land is submerged in the deep sea. The strain behaviour due to high water pressure and the associated internal damage is significantly affected by water pressure acting as a constraint mechanism and water penetration acting as a stress relaxation mechanism. However, few studies have been available on the mechanical behaviour of concrete under high water pressure. Therefore, more research is required in this area to advance deep sea construction. This paper reviews available studies and provides the latest findings on the mechanical behaviour of concrete under high water pressure, based on laboratory and field tests. Prospects in this field are also described.
Keywords
deep-sea, mechanical properties, water infiltration, constraint.
DOI
10.5703/1288284318146
Recommended Citation
Kawabata, Yuichiro; Takahashi, Keisuke; and Wong, Hong Song, "Mechanical Behaviour of Cement-based Materials in Deep Seas: A Review" (2025). International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures. 7.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/icdcs/2025/ddm/7
Mechanical Behaviour of Cement-based Materials in Deep Seas: A Review
The ocean covers approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface, with over 80% categorized as deep sea. The deep sea, defined as depths greater than 200 m, is considered the most significant and last frontier within the marine environment. Emerging innovative projects have recently explored offshore wind power generation, seabed resource mining, carbon dioxide capture and storage, and deep-sea cities. One of the key challenges with construction in the deep sea is the high-water pressure, which increases by 1 MPa per 100 m of depth. The surrounding water pressure constrains concrete and increases its strength, but, because concrete is porous, seawater can permeate through the voids. This is particularly relevant when concrete manufactured on land is submerged in the deep sea. The strain behaviour due to high water pressure and the associated internal damage is significantly affected by water pressure acting as a constraint mechanism and water penetration acting as a stress relaxation mechanism. However, few studies have been available on the mechanical behaviour of concrete under high water pressure. Therefore, more research is required in this area to advance deep sea construction. This paper reviews available studies and provides the latest findings on the mechanical behaviour of concrete under high water pressure, based on laboratory and field tests. Prospects in this field are also described.
