Abstract: The effective spatial utilization and stability of artificial reefs are influenced not only by regional scour and siltation processes but also by the penetration depth of the reef into the seabed and the local scour resulting from alterations in the flow field. Using shallow sediment samples collected from the western outer region of Jiaozhou Bay,physical and mechanical property tests were first conducted. Subsequently,numerical models were established to simulate the penetration process of artificial reefs into the seabed and the local scour around the reefs under combined wave and current actions. The penetration depths under varying sediment strengths and the local scour characteristics under extreme hydrodynamic conditions were calculated and analyzed. The results indicate that the strength of the shallow soft soils in the target area generally meets the bearing capacity requirements for artificial reefs. The rate-dependent behavior of the soil helps reduce the penetration depth of the artificial reef. However,local areas with lower sediment strength should be avoided. Local scour around the artificial reefs is relatively mild under normal hydrodynamic conditions,but under extreme wave-current conditions,significant local erosion may occur in areas with fine-grained non-cohesive sediments. The penetration depth of the artificial reef can mitigate local scour to some extent. Overall,the sediment characteristics in the study area are suitable for the deployment of artificial reefs.