THE PROGRESS OF THE STUDY OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND INFLUENCE FACTORS ON HYDRATE BEARING SEDIMENTS

As a potential energy source, gas hydrates are widely distributed in marine sediments under the seafloor. The sub-water decomposition of massive hydrate may cause the change in mechanical properties of hydrate bearing sediments and result in such geological disasters as submarine landslide. In this paper, we briefed the progress of researches on the strength properties of hydrate bearing sediments, on the basis of various factors including the experimental media, types of hydrate, saturation, temperature, pressure and the strain rate. We also discussed the problems incurred with these studies. Future direction and tendency of the study of strength properties of hydrate bearing sediments are also discussed.