Modification of Consolidation Characteristics of Dredged Clay with Dispersing Agent and Its Applicability as a Volume Reduction Technique

Abstract

The method proposed here attempts to modify consolidation characteristics of cohesive soils by chemical action at the interface between soil particles and pore water. In this paper, a series of laboratory experiments was carried out using dredged clay with dispersing agents to evaluate the potential as a volume reduction technique. The experimental work shows that (1) liquid limit w_L of the modified soil falls by up to 15% compared to w_L of the original soil; (2) ƒ - logp curves of the modified soil are plotted below ƒ - logp curves of the original soils, which means the volume of the modified soil is smaller than the original soils under the same overburden pressure; (3) volume ratio ƒ at the consolidation yield stress p_c decreases by 4.7~6.7%. In addition, a trial calculation was carried out based on one-dimensional consolidation theory to simulate the amount and the process of settlement at a hypothetical disposal site. The calculation indicates the volume of the modified soil is reduced compared with the original soil, and therefore the work life of the disposal site becomes longer.