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 wL of the modified soil falls by up to 15% compared to wL 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 pc 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.
