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MECHANISM OF BREAKOUT
If an object is resting on the ocean floor without embedment and no adhesion develops between the object and the ocean sediment, then the force required to lift the object will be equal to its submerged weight. The value of the breakout force in this case, according to our definition, is zero. If the object is embedded and an attempt is made to lift it, skin friction or adhesion which develops around the sides of the object and adhesion along the base will resist the effort to lift it. The difference between the force now required to raise the object and the submerged weight is the breakout force. The contribution from skin friction and adhesion in many cases is only a small fraction of the total breakout force. Thus the mechanism for resisting breakout cannot, in most cases, be assumed to be due to skin friction and adhesion, and other mechanisms must be sought.
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