One-dimension compression of slurry with radial drainage

Abstract

The behavior of the self-weight consolidation of suspension has been studied by the Oxford group (Been and Sills, 1981). However the deformation behavior of slurry-like soil upon additional load is not well understood. Due to the high demand for land in coastal areas and surrounding city areas, reclamation or remediation of land on ultra soft soil like waste ponds and mine tailing ponds has become necessary. Materials in such waste ponds and mine tailing ponds are extremely soft, and high water content which is usually above the liquid limit. In addition to this, these materials are in an underconsolidated condition and are still undergoing self-weight consolidation. A laboratory study with a large diameter consolidation cell equipped with pore water pressure transducers was carried out to find out the deformation behavior of slurry-like soil under a one dimensional vertical load. It was noted that before commencing Terzaghi's consolidation process, the slurry was deformed solely due to the expelling of water from the slurry. This deformation was as high as 19% strain and no pore water pressure dissipation was detected during this period. The behavior in the laboratory results was confirmed by a case study carried out with a trail embankment on slurry-like soil contained in the containment bund.