Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/11681/35554| Title: | Hydraulically transported clay balls |
| Authors: | Richter, Stephen D. Leshchinsky, Dov. |
| Keywords: | Ball clay Clay Dredging Dredging spoil |
| Publisher: | U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. |
| Series/Report no.: | Contract Report (Dredging Research Program (U.S.)) ; no. Contract Report DRP-94-1 |
| Abstract: | 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 the relative movement of water against the clay. In the second test, clay samples were placed in a drum, partially submerged in water. The drum was rotated for different times and various velocities. Intact portions of samples were then removed from the drum, dried, and weighed to determine the effect of agitation. The results of the testing program showed that plasticity and relative compaction of the soil play a significant role in the rate of degradation of clay balls. Through extensive testing, design charts have been established to estimate the rate of degradation based on these basic properties. By determining these properties of an in situ soil, one can then predict whether the dredged clay lumps will slurrify or clay balls will form. The results appear to be important to the dredging industry, as they reduce some of the uncertainty commonly associated with the planning and execution of a dredging project |
| Description: | Contract Report |
| Gov't Doc #: | Contract Report DRP-94-1 |
| Rights: | Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited |
| URI: | https://hdl.handle.net/11681/35554 |
| Size: | 116 pages / 61.87 Mb |
| Types of Materials: | PDF/A |
| Appears in Collections: | Contract Report |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contract Report DRP-94-1.pdf | 63.36 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |