Experimental study on settling velocity of soil particles in dredged slurry

Studying sedimentation and consolidation of dredged slurry has significant implications to the design of storage yard and subsequent ground improvement. In this study, settling velocity of soil particles in dredged slurry during sedimentation and consolidation processes was investigated using an improved multilayer extraction sampling (MES) method. A series of sedimentation column tests were performed on dredged slurry with three different initial water contents. Distributions of volume of soil particles and density of dredged slurry were first obtained by the MES method, settling velocity of soil particles was then calculated by volume flux function approach. It was found that the density and velocity inflection points can be used to distinguish the settling zone and the consolidation zone. The experimental results reveal that the velocity of soil particles was quite low and monotonically decreased with sedimentation height at low initial water content throughout the whole test period, whereas it was increased at 0–1 hours and almost remained constant at 1–7 hours in the settling zone at high initial water content. The effects of initial water content on sedimentation and consolidation mode of dredged slurry and the settling velocity of soil particles were discussed. The relationship between settling velocity of soil particles and particle diameter was also studied. It is indicated that the measured velocity of soil particles was much lower than that calculated by the Stokes equation, and it was related to 0.4881–0.5906 order of particle diameter at 0–1 hours and 0.1117–0.1825 order of particle diameter at 1–7 hours for the test slurries.     

近岸水体中海洋雪对细颗粒微塑料沉降过程影响的实验研究

海洋微塑料是全球共同面对的环境问题和挑战,然而目前海洋微塑料从源到汇的输运和沉积过程及影响机制尚不明确。已有研究发现微塑料颗粒的垂向沉降过程受到海洋雪等水体悬浮物质的影响,但是目前相关研究只局限于定性的观察分析。在实验室中模拟含有海洋雪的近岸水体环境,使细颗粒微塑料(PS微球、PVC颗粒)与海洋雪产生碰撞、聚集,观测微塑料或微塑料-海洋雪聚集体的沉降过程。研究结果表明,水体中含有海洋雪时,一方面海洋雪会促进微塑料颗粒自身的聚集,形成更大的聚集体;另一方面由于海洋雪包裹微塑料形成松散的聚集体,导致平均沉速减小。50 μm以下的微塑料其沉降过程受海洋雪的影响较大,平均沉速减小35%以上;微塑料密度越大,受海洋雪的影响越小,平均沉速减小10%以下。沉降速率的减缓,意味着微塑料在水柱中的停留时间增加,处于不同深度的水生生物可能有更多时间和概率与微塑料接触,增加了鱼类等水生生物摄入微塑料的风险。     

长江口悬沙沉速室内试验研究

在充分认识传统沉降筒缺陷的基础上提出了"大型可温控自动搅拌沉降试验筒"。通过室内系列试验发现:(1)含沙量对长江口细颗粒沉降速度影响最大;(2)温度上升,沉速增加,但不同阶段影响程度有所不同;(3)含沙量越高,盐度对沉速的影响越小,含沙量相同情况下,长江口北槽悬沙枯季水温下盐度对沉速的影响在1.8~5.7倍左右;洪季水温下盐度对沉速的影响在1.5~2.2倍左右。(4)枯季最佳絮凝盐度在7左右,最佳絮凝含沙量为7 kg/m3;洪季最佳絮凝盐度在10~12左右,最佳絮凝含沙量为4.5kg/m3。本研究成果可望加深我们对细颗粒泥沙动力过程相关机理的认识,同时可为相关港口、航道的淤积机理分析,数学模型、物理模型研究工作提供一定技术参考。     

Analysis of influencing factors on fine sediment flocculation in the Changjiang Estuary

Based on the test data in dynamic water and static water, the main factors, which influence the fine sediment flocculation, are analyzed with a gray model method of correlation theory. It is shown that the main influencing factors are water temperature, settling time, salinity, grain size, sediment concentration and current velocity according to the correlation coefficients. Among them, the salinity and the sediment grain size are critical type influencing factors (CrTIF); the settling time, the sediment concentration and the velocity are continuous type influencing factors (CoTIF); and the water temperature has the characteristics of both. When the critical values of CrTIF are reached or exceeded, the fine sediments will be flocculated, but values of CrTIF will not influence the settlement strength of floes. The influence of CoTIF is continuous. The values of the CoTIF will not only influence the occurrence of flocculation but also the settlement strength of the floes.     

长江口细颗粒泥沙絮凝沉降影响因素分析

根据静水和动水条件下的细颗粒泥沙沉降试验结果,应用灰色模型分析中的关联度分析理论,分析了影响细颗粒泥沙絮凝沉降的主要因素.根据关联度的大小指出,影响细颗粒泥沙絮凝沉降的主要因素依次为水温、沉降历时、盐度、粒度、含沙量和流速,其中盐度和粒度是阈值型影响因素,沉降历时、含沙量和流速是连续型影响因素,水温是具有阈值型和连续型双重特性的影响因素.只要阈值型影响因素达到或超过了阈值,细颗粒泥沙就发生絮凝作用,因素值的变化对沉降强度影响不大.连续型影响因素对细颗粒泥沙絮凝沉降的影响是连续的,它们不仅影响絮凝作用发生,而且影响絮凝沉降强度.     

Experimental Study on Complete Consolidation Behavior of Hong Kong Marine Deposits

The time-dependent feature of soft soils has gained intensive attraction in recent years. Due to the high water content and viscous property, the Hong Kong marine deposit (HKMD) frequently poses a challenge to geotechnical practice, particularly to the reclamation in Hong Kong. A key issue related to reclamation design, foundation construction and maintenance is excess settlement/deformation of the ground. Formation of HKMD typically goes through sedimentation and self-weight consolidation. A series of one-dimensional settling column consolidation tests, together with conventional oedometer tests were conducted on the HKMD. By normalizing parameter in settling stage, a unique global relationship of effective stress, σ_z′ and strain, ?_z could be established. Results reveal that the settling curve and settling rate are significantly affected by the sediment concentration in self-weight consolidation. After the primary self-weight consolidation, the settling rate is reduced in the “secondary self-weight consolidation.”     

长江河口三角洲区有孔虫沉降速度试验

作者对有孔虫壳体沉降速度进行了测试和研究,提出了不同属种有孔虫的壳径与沉降速度相关方程,引进了“当量直径”的概念,并用于长江口三角洲地层中的化石群,提出了解释潮汐河口有孔虫埋葬群的形成机理,从而定量的研究和辨别三角洲地层中的原地埋葬和异地埋葬化石群。     

Grain-size distribution patterns of suspended sediment in response to hydrodynamics on the Dafeng intertidal flat, Jiangsu, China

1Introduction The sediment dynamics of intertidal flats in-volves erosion, transport, and settling processes. A-mong these, the mechanisms of sediment transportare a key question. Progress has been made in awide range of associated areas, including sedime…     

A laboratory assessment of the relative importance of turbulence, particle composition, and concentration in limiting maximal floc size and settling behaviour

The fate of fine particulate material in aquatic environments is closely linked to aggregation and disaggregation processes. Understanding the mechanisms controlling these processes is fundamental to the development of predictive models of fate and effects for particulate discharges in the coastal zone from such sources as offshore hydrocarbon exploration and development. One of the variables required for the development of these models is maximal floc size. Using a non-invasive imaging technique, the significance of turbulence, composition, and concentration on maximal floc size in an inverting column flocculator was determined for materials commonly discharged during offshore hydrocarbon development. The settling velocity of the suspension was determined from volume concentrations of samples obtained by pipette during still water settling in a manner similar to that of Owen tubes. After 20 h, both maximal floc size and settling velocity showed a highly significant dependence on turbulence and type of material in suspension, but showed no effect from concentration.     

江苏大丰潮滩悬沙级配特征及其动力响应

根据2002和2003年夏季在江苏大丰潮滩的现场观测资料,详细分析了悬沙级配的时空分布特征、影响因素及其对再悬浮、沉降和流速的响应.研究结果表明,悬沙颗粒较细,以粉砂为主,悬沙级配在潮周期内的变化模式有两种类型:一是稳定型,悬沙级配的时空(垂向和平面)变化很小;二是双峰型,悬沙级配的时空变化显著,粗细峰高度不断变化.再悬浮、沉降、涨潮时输入潮滩的悬沙和底质级配是影响悬沙级配的重要因子.再悬浮使粗颗粒悬沙的含量增加,悬沙与底质级配不断接近,沉降对悬沙级配的影响与再悬浮相反.再悬浮发生时悬沙级配对流速有明显响应.在没有再悬浮和沉降影响的情况下,潮滩不同部位、不同时间的悬沙级配趋于稳定和相同,对这种状态下的悬沙级配可称为背景悬沙级配,大丰潮滩背景悬沙级配的平均粒径为7μm.     

Examples of spatial and temporal variations of some fine-grained suspended particle characteristics in two Danish coastal water bodies

In June and September of 1999, a LISST-100 in situ laser diffraction particle sizer was used to analyse the temporal and spatial variation of the beam attenuation coefficient, the in situ median particle (aggregate) diameter and the median volume concentration of suspended matter in two Danish coastal water bodies. One of the study sites was generally exposed to wind, while the other was quite sheltered. Measurements of the mass concentration of total suspended matter and chl a were made simultaneously. The in situ median effective density, settling velocity and vertical flux of the suspended matter are computed. Results demonstrate that in September, the in situ median aggregate diameter, settling velocity and vertical flux was smaller (by a factor of up to 16) and the concentration higher (by a factor of up to almost two) than in June. This is attributed to varying degrees of turbulence in the water in the weeks preceding the field work, causing aggregates to break up (lowering in situ aggregate diameter and settling velocity) and sediment to be resuspended (increasing concentration) in September. The fractal dimension of the suspended aggregates is estimated. The fractal dimension is found to increase from June to September at both study sites, supporting the notion of aggregate break-up in September due to turbulence in the upper part of the water column. An algae bloom occurred at the sheltered study site in September. In situ particle size spectra from this site demonstrated increasing aggregate sizes towards the bottom. It is suggested, that the increase in size is due to biologically induced aggregation, causing large aggregates to settle out of the upper part of the water column, leaving finer particles and aggregates behind.     

海州湾水流紊动强度和含沙量对沉降速度的影响研究

选取海州湾近岸潮流和含沙量实测资料，分析水体紊动强度与含沙量对近岸絮凝体沉降速度的影响，提出了新的沉降速度确定方法。研究表明：淤海州湾近岸泥沙沉降速率大部分在 0.05 ~ 2.50 mm/s 之间，潮周期内泥沙絮凝体的沉降速度 有明显变化。于含沙量较小时，泥沙絮凝体的沉降速度基本随含沙量的增加而增加；含沙量较大时，含沙量与沉降速度呈现出负相关，无论是大潮还是中潮，当含沙量达到 0.7 kg/m3左右时，絮团沉降速度最大，而随着含沙量的增大，絮团沉降速度开始减小。盂在涨落潮垂线平均流速最大时刻，紊动强度达到峰值，含沙量较低时，随着紊动强度增加，沉降速度也随之增加，大潮期间紊动强度对泥沙沉降速度的影响高于中潮。榆新的泥沙沉降速度计算公式不仅考虑了含沙量，还计入了紊动强度 G，大大提高了沉降速度计算值与实测值的相关性。     

伶仃洋河口泥沙絮凝特征及影响因素研究

泥沙絮凝对河口细颗粒泥沙运动过程起着极其重要的作用。本文通过LISST-100激光粒度仪等仪器实测伶仃洋河口2013年洪季悬浮泥沙絮凝体现场粒径及水动力、泥沙条件,结合实验室悬沙粒径分析,研究大小潮期间伶仃洋河口泥沙絮凝特征,探讨紊动剪切强度、含沙量、盐度分层及波浪等因素对伶仃洋河口泥沙絮凝的影响。结果表明:伶仃洋河口水体中现场粒径平均值为148.53 μm,大于实验室悬沙分散粒径36.74 μm,河口絮凝现象明显;沉速与有效密度、粒径呈正相关,絮团平均有效密度为153.49 kg/m3,平均沉速达1.13 mm/s;小潮时絮团平均粒径大于大潮,垂向上表底层絮团粒径小、中层大,中底层絮团沉速大于表层。伶仃洋河口水动力、泥沙条件是影响其泥沙絮凝的重要因素,低剪切强度（小于5 s-1）、低含沙量（小于50 mg/L）及高体积浓度有利于细颗粒泥沙之间的相互碰撞,促进絮凝作用;当剪切强度与颗粒间碰撞强度高于絮团所能承受的强度时,絮团易破碎分解成小絮团或更细的泥沙颗粒;伶仃洋河口盐度层化引起的泥沙捕获现象增大中层泥沙体积浓度,有利于中层絮凝体的发育;观测期相对较大的波浪增强水体紊动,增大了水体细颗粒泥沙的碰撞几率,表层絮团粒径随波高峰值的出现而增大。     

Entropy analysis of in situ particle size spectra

Entropy analysis has been used to classify in situ particle (floc) size spectra of suspended particles into groups based on similar distribution characteristics. Results revealed that the in situ spectra sorted into groups that reflected different forcing conditions (e.g. variations in turbulence). The different forcing conditions were not necessarily reflected in other commonly used distribution measures such as median floc diameter. This suggests that entropy analysis may be an effective approach for investigating the effect of changes in forcing conditions on floc size. It is hypothesized that it may be possible to derive the average shape of floc size spectra from measurement of the forcing conditions alone and subsequently derive parameters such as floc fraction, floc density, floc settling velocity and the optical properties of the water column from the average spectra.     

Numerical modeling of hyperpycnal flows in an idealized river mouth

Numerical experiments in an idealized river mouth are conducted using a three-dimensional hydrodynamics model (EFDC model) to examine the impacts of suspended sediment concentration (SSC), settling velocity of sediment and tidal mixing on the formation and maintenance of estuarine hyperpycnal flows. The standard experiment presents an illustrative view of hyperpycnal flows that carry high-concentrated sediment and low-salinity water in the bottom layer (>1.0 m in thickness) along the subaqueous slope. The structure and intra-tidal variation of the simulated hyperpycnal flows are quite similar to those previously observed off the Huanghe (Yellow River) mouth. Results from the three control experiments show that SSC of river effluents is the most important parameter to the formation of hyperpycnal flows. High SSC will increase the bulk density of river effluents and thus offset the density difference between freshwater and seawater. Low SSC of river effluents will produce a surface river plume, as commonly observed in most large estuaries. Both the settling velocity of sediment particles and the tidal mixing play an important role in maintaining the hyperpycnal flows. Increasing settling velocity enhances the deposition of sediment from the hyperpycnal layer and thus accelerates the attenuation of hyperpycnal flows, whereas increasing tidal mixing destroys the stratification of water column and therefore makes the hyperpycnal flows less evident. Our results from numerical experiments are of importance to understand the initiation and maintenance of hyperpycnal flows in estuaries and provide a reference to the rapidly decaying hyperpycnal flows off the Huanghe river mouth due to climatic and anthropogenic forcing over the past several decades.     

A simple method for calibrating optical backscatter sensors in high concentrations of non-cohesive sediments

A new method is introduced for calibrating optical backscatter sensors for suspended quartz sand concentrations of up to 200 kg m⁻³. Due to the high settling velocity of quartz sand in water, considerable difficulties have arisen in the past to maintain a spatially and temporally homogeneous suspension suitable for calibration. Traditional methods are clumsy and prone to errors. Here, the sediment is calibrated in glycerol, a clear fluid with a higher viscosity than water. The settling velocity is reduced by three orders of magnitude. An empirical relationship is obtained which is used to correct for any optical differences in response of the sensors in the two fluids. Any extra errors introduced by calibrating with a different fluid from that found in the field are outweighed by the simplicity and reliability of this method.     

沉积物捕获器在海岸与陆架沉积动力研究中的应用:以罗源湾和台湾海峡为例

运用时间序列的沉积物捕获器对海岸与陆架海域沉降颗粒物进行采集,估算沉降通量,并运用多学科综合研究手段分析沉降颗粒物的来源、组成、时空变化及控制因素,可以为海岸与陆架沉积动力过程的研究提供新的研究手段。福建罗源湾的实验表明,夏季罗源湾潮下带小潮至中潮期间的沉降通量为133.20~256.18g/(m2·t);由中潮向大潮变化期间单个潮周期的沉降通量明显增大,台风过后的大潮期间的沉降通量为373.99~590.51g/(m2·t);台风显著影响期间的沉降通量为746.34g/(m2·t);粒度分析及水动力观测结果显示,观测期间罗源湾潮下带沉降颗粒物主要来源于海底沉积物的再悬浮。台湾海峡西北部内陆架海域的实验研究表明,该海域近底部悬浮颗粒物沉降通量最大值为13.34g/(m2·d),由小潮向中潮沉降通量逐渐增大,这主要是由于近底部温盐跃层层位上移,近底部垂向混合作用增强,致使底部再悬浮沉积物向上扩散,并最终被沉积物捕获器捕获。沉积物捕获器可以接收到再悬浮沉积物,结合底部边界层过程的观测研究,可以深入认识海底沉积物的侵蚀、沉降及埋藏过程,在研究海岸与陆架区沉积动力学、泥质区沉积记录的形成过程与保存潜力中扮演着十分重要的角色。     

Group Settling Velocity of Non-Cohesive Sediment Mixtures

Settling velocity is a fundamental parameter in sediment transport dynamics.For uniform Par-ticles,there are abundant formulas for calculation of their settling velocities.But in natural fields,sedi-ment consists of non-uniform particles.The interaction among particles is complex and should not be neg-lected.In this paper,based on the analysis of settling mechanism of non-cohesive and non-uniform parti-cles,a theoretical model to describe settling mechanism is proposed.Besides suspension concentration andupward turbulent flow caused by other particles,collision among particles is another main factor influ-encing settling velocity.By introducing the collision theory,equations of fall velocity before collision,colli-sion probability,and fall velocity after collision are established.Finally,a formula used to calculate the set-tling velocity of non-cohesive particles with wide grain gradation is presented,which agrees well with theexperimental data.     

Mechanical properties of calcareous silts in a hydraulic fill island-reef

Abstract

The mechanical characteristics of calcareous silt interlayers play an important role in the stability of island-reef foundations. Direct shear and consolidation tests were performed to study the relationship between the mechanical properties and the physical parameters of calcareous silt. Based on the consolidation test results and analysis of the settling examples, different calculation methods for soil settling were compared. The results show the following. (1) The relationship between the cohesion and water content of calcareous silt can be represented by an M-shaped curve. The water contents corresponding to the two peaks of the M-type curve increase with increasing dry density. (2) When the dry density is less than 1.33?g/cm³, increasing the density significantly improves the internal friction angle of calcareous silts. When the dry density of the calcareous silt is greater than 1.33?g/cm³, the internal friction angle is affected by both the dry density and the water content. (3) The shear strength decreases when the water content exceeds the optimum level. (4) The compressive modulus of calcareous silt is larger than that of terrigenous silt. Specifically, it decreases with decreasing dry density and increasing water content. (5) The stepwise loading method should be used to estimate the soil settling before fill engineering construction.