Dredging Research Program: Hydraulically Transported Clay Balls
2006
Richter, Stephen D. | Leshchinsky, Dov
Behavior of dredged clay lumps varies widely depending upon their geotechnical characteristics. Predicting the behavior of clay lumps in important in estimating the difficulties associated with the transporting phase of dredged materials. Existing engineering soil descriptors are not oriented towards dredging operations and therefore cannot be used for accurate behavior predictions. Usage of these predictors in practice often leads to disputes between the parties involved in the dredging project. This work presents the empirical relationship between basic clay properties and the degradation rate of clay balls being hydraulically transported. Various clay consistencies were simulated in the laboratory using different proportions of kaolinite and bentonite in mixture. These clays were then statically compacted to different degrees of density relative to their maximum standard Proctor dry density. To simulate the hydraulic transport effects, samples were subjected to two types of tests. In the first one, clay samples were clamped and lowered underwater and were spun for different times and velocities. The remaining intact portions of the samples were then dried and weighed to determine the effect of relative movement of water against the clay. In the second test, clay samples were placed in a drum, partially submerged in water.
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