Geotechnical evaluation of Stabilized Dredged Material (SDM) from the New York/New Jersey Harbor

Abstract

As a result of the 1997 ban on ocean dumping of dredged sediments, the States of New York and New Jersey have embarked on a rigorous program of seeking environmentally friendly solutions to the handling of dredged material, including the beneficial use of stabilized dredged material (SDM) in roadway applications. A pilot study was initiated in 1998 to construct two embankments on a site in Elizabeth, NJ, where SDM was successfully used as a cover for more than 100 acres of commercial development area. The pilot study included a laboratory phase for geotechnical evaluation of SDM, and a field phase for monitoring and evaluation of the construction process, as well as the performance of the fills following construction. The results of the laboratory study, as reported in this paper, demonstrate that SDM satisfies most of the geotechnical criteria for fill construction, except those for durability, requiring proper coverage and protection similar to those provided for fills constructed on cohesive soils.