Semi-empirical correlation of shear wave velocity prediction in the Yellow River Delta based on CPT

The Yellow River Delta is one of the most abundant offshore energy areas in China, and the construction of offshore projects is rapidly developing. In this paper, four typical regions of the Yellow River Delta in different periods were selected as research objects. In-situ cone penetration tests (CPTs), geotechnical testing, electron microscope scanning testing, and soil type indexing (I_c) was used to classify and identify the soil layers. At the same time, a modified calculation model based on CPT for the shear wave velocity of fine-grained seabed soil was sought and verified with the measured values. The results showed that: (1) the obtained soil layers are mainly classified by clay and silty soil, which is in line with the conclusions of previous scholars on the classification of the Yellow River Delta soil layer. (2) The measured shear wave velocity is generally between 100 m/s and 250 m/s, and it gradually increases with depth. (3) The depth, cone resistance, and soil behavior index are directly related to the calculation of the shear wave velocity in this area. (4) Discrete analysis of measured and calculated shear wave velocity provides theoretical support for the change of shear wave velocity under different conditions.