Pressure Gradients Within Sediment Beds

Abstract

A new technique for measuring dynamic pressures and pressure gradients within sediments is developed. The pressure is measured with a series of small diameter steel probes connected to pressure transducers via semi-rigid tubing. The dynamic response of the system was evaluated and found to be satisfactory for typical laboratory wave frequencies. Comparisons with measurements of the pressure gradients obtained from conventional transducers show good agreement. The present technique is demonstrated with pressure measurements at the toe of breakwaters and across the surf zone of model beaches.