Abstract
A new style of consolidation test is proposed for the purpose of predicting consolidation constants of sediments to be formed in a dyked pond by hydraulically dredged clay materials. This new test is performed by applying the seepage force on a specimen prepared by sedimentation in a consolidometer. The principle that the seepage force is converted into consolidation stress is at first presented. It is next shown that all of the consolidation constants and the compression curve as well can be determined by performing following three measurements in the state of steady seepage flow realized after the completion of consolidation; (1) distributions of pore water pressures and of (2) water contents within the specimen, and (3) velocity of the flow passing through the specimen. With use of the test apparatus developed for this study, consolidation constants were determined in the wide range of stress from the very low stress of 0.01 kN/m2 to 50 kN/m2.
