Underwater Unexploded Ordnance Burial Prediction

The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) would like to predict how unexploded ordnance (UXO) on or under the ocean floor is moved and exposed by water and sediment motion to identify and prioritize UXO cleanup (remediation) locations. UXO movement and exposure depend on its initial sediment penetration depth. IDA performed a numerical analysis to explore the accuracy and precision (fidelity) of estimates from existing computational models for predicting initial sediment penetration depth of mines dropped into water to see if those models could be repurposed for UXO. We first explored what level of fidelity would be useful for predicting final burial depth or relocation of the UXO. Then we looked at what level of fidelity is already achievable given existing models. Finally, we considered how those models might be improved to make them more useful for underwater UXO remediation.