Study of the sedimentation and self-weight consolidation behavior of seafloor sediments using a radioisotope densitometer

ABSTRACT

In this study, settling tests were conducted to investigate the sedimentation and self-weight consolidation behavior of seafloor sediments from Isahaya Bay, Ariake Sea, Japan. During the tests, the density variations with depth and time were measured by a gamma-ray transmission radioisotope densitometer. The test results show that the settling process of the seafloor sediments can be classified into the flocculation stage, settling stage, and consolidation stage. The settling rate of the seafloor sediments in the settling stage is dependent on the temperature and initial water content, while the settling rate in the consolidation stage is independent of the temperature and initial water content. The density profile changes from a constant density profile to a linear density profile when the sedimentation process transitions to the self-weight consolidation process. The relations between the void ratio (e) and effective vertical stress (p’) at very low pressures can be calculated from the measured density values, and this can be used for the analysis of the self-weight consolidation of seafloor sediments. For the seafloor sediments tested in this study, the undrained shear strength (s_u) values are almost the same when the density values are less than 1.14?g/cm³, and the s_u values increase linearly with an increase in density when the density values are in the range of 1.14–1.2?g/cm^3.     

Strain-Rate Dependent Stress--Strain Behavior of Undisturbed Hong Kong Marine Deposits under Oedometric and Triaxial Stress States

ABSTRACT

This article presents a testing study on the strain-rate effects on the stress--strain behavior of natural, undisturbed Hong Kong marine deposits (HKMD) from three Hong Kong locations, including a one-dimensional (1-D) compressibility in a confined condition, and undrained shear strengths in triaxial compression and extension modes. The influences of the strain rates on the one-dimensional compressibility are studied by means of constant rate of strain (CRS) tests and multistage loading oedometer (MSL) tests, and those on the undrained shear strengths are studied by K _o-consolidated undrained compression and extension tests with step-changed axial strain rates (CK _oUC and CK _oUE tests), and with both step-changed axial strain rates and relaxation processes (CK _oUCR and CK _oUER tests). The strain-rate effects on the stress--strain behavior are generally examined by “apparent” preconsolidation pressures in the 1-D compressions and undrained shear strengths in the triaxial compression and extension stress states. The stress--strain behavior of the natural, undisturbed HKMD exhibits considerable viscous characteristics. In the CRS and MSL tests at a given strain, the higher the strain rate, the higher the effective stress, the higher the porewater pressure. In the undrained shearing tests, the higher the strain rate, the higher the undrained shear strength, but the lower the porewater pressure. For the CK _oUC and CK _oUE tests on the Tsing Yi site samples, the undrained shear strength increases by 8.5% and 12.1% for one order increment of axial strain rate of 0.2%/hr (i.e., ρ_0.2) for the compression and extension modes respectively. For the CK _oUCR and CK _o tests on the Tung Chung site samples of different compositions, average ρ_0.2 is increased by 6.2% for the compression and 9.5% for the extension, but by 18.8% for the extension on a higher plastic sample. The present study shows that the strain-rate effects on the stress--strain behavior of the undisturbed HKMD are larger for specimens in extension than those in compression.     

Strain-Rate Dependent Stress--Strain Behavior of Undisturbed Hong Kong Marine Deposits under Oedometric and Triaxial Stress States

This article presents a testing study on the strain-rate effects on the stress--strain behavior of natural, undisturbed Hong Kong marine deposits (HKMD) from three Hong Kong locations, including a one-dimensional (1-D) compressibility in a confined condition, and undrained shear strengths in triaxial compression and extension modes. The influences of the strain rates on the one-dimensional compressibility are studied by means of constant rate of strain (CRS) tests and multistage loading oedometer (MSL) tests, and those on the undrained shear strengths are studied by K_o-consolidated undrained compression and extension tests with step-changed axial strain rates (CK_oUC and CK_oUE tests), and with both step-changed axial strain rates and relaxation processes (CK_oUCR and CK_oUER tests). The strain-rate effects on the stress--strain behavior are generally examined by “apparent” preconsolidation pressures in the 1-D compressions and undrained shear strengths in the triaxial compression and extension stress states. The stress--strain behavior of the natural, undisturbed HKMD exhibits considerable viscous characteristics. In the CRS and MSL tests at a given strain, the higher the strain rate, the higher the effective stress, the higher the porewater pressure. In the undrained shearing tests, the higher the strain rate, the higher the undrained shear strength, but the lower the porewater pressure. For the CK_oUC and CK_oUE tests on the Tsing Yi site samples, the undrained shear strength increases by 8.5% and 12.1% for one order increment of axial strain rate of 0.2%/hr (i.e., ρ_0.2) for the compression and extension modes respectively. For the CK_oUCR and CK_o tests on the Tung Chung site samples of different compositions, average ρ_0.2 is increased by 6.2% for the compression and 9.5% for the extension, but by 18.8% for the extension on a higher plastic sample. The present study shows that the strain-rate effects on the stress--strain behavior of the undisturbed HKMD are larger for specimens in extension than those in compression.     

Study of the Shear Strength of Sediments in Main Sedimentation Stages

The shear strength properties of sediments are relevant to many practical problems, including those related to predicting the bearing capacity of the man-made crust lying over dredged disposal sites and those associated with estimating the erosion resistance and the bearing capacity of sediments. In this study, an experimental apparatus and method is developed for sedimentation. This apparatus consists of a settling column, pore measurement apparatus, shear vane apparatus, and multilayer extraction sampling apparatus. The change regulation of interface height, density, excess pore pressure, peak undrained shear strength, residual undrained shear strength, and sensitivity varies before and after the excess pore pressure dissipates to zero in the self-weight consolidation stage. The higher the water content, the greater the particle segregation degree. Particles are mainly segregated in the settling stage, and they are not segregated further in the self-weight consolidation stage. Before excess pore pressure dissipates to zero in the self-weight consolidation stage, shear strength is related to water content, effective stress, and the formed structure of sediments. After excess pore pressure dissipates to zero, peak undrained shear strength is mainly associated with the structure (thixotropy) of sediments. Residual undrained shear strength increases because of the slight decrease in water content. The mechanisms of thixotropy can be expressed as the increase in the original and curing cohesions of sediments with time as determined from microscopic aspects.     

Comparison of Strain-rate Dependent Stress-Strain Behavior from Ko-consolidated Compression and Extension Tests on Natural Hong Kong Marine Deposits

This article presents results from a series of K_o-consolidated compression and extension triaxial tests on specimens from undisturbed samples of Hong Kong Marine Deposits (HKMD). To investigate the strain-rate effects, a total of seven K_o-consolidated triaxial tests were conducted including four compression tests and three extension tests. After K_o-consolidation, the triaxial test specimens were sheared at step-changed axial strain rates under three different confining pressures of 50 kPa, 150 kPa, and 400 kPa, respectively. The step-changed strain rates were applied in the following order: +2%/h, +0.2%/h, +20%/h, -2%/h (unloading) and +2%/h (reloading) for the four compression tests and -2%/h, -0.2%/h, -20%/h, +2%/h (unloading) and -2%/h (reloading) for the three extension tests. The results are reported and analyzed in the paper. The results show that the strain rate effects, the stress-strain characteristics, and the effective stress paths of the specimens for tests in a compression state are different from those for tests in an extension stage. One order of magnitude increase in axial strain rate causes an average 8.6% increase in undrained shear strength for compression tests and a 12.1% increase for extension tests. It is also found that the failure mode of the specimens in compression is different from that in extension. The stress-strain behavior of specimens shows strain-softening and a clear shear band in compression tests, but strain-hardening without any clear shear band in extension tests for the same absolute value of axial strain.     

Laboratory testing of muds

The equipment and techniques used at H. R. Wallingford Limited (HR) for testing the properties of estuarine muds are described. Erosion under unidirectional currents is measured in an annular flume; a relationship between shear strength, τ_e, and density, ρ_d, is determined in the form: τ_e=a ρ_d ^b. Self-weight consolidation tests are run in settling columns, with density profiles and excess pore pressures measured during the consolidation period. An empirical relationship between effective stress, σ′, and density is determined in the form: σ′=a₀+a₁ρ+a₂ρ². Permeability, k, against density is determined in the form: log(k)=c₀+c₁ρ.     

Rheological characteristics and one-dimensional isotache modelling of marine soft clays

Abstract

This paper presents a novel elasto-viscoplastic constitutive formulation based on the isotache concepts and the Nishihara model. Incorporating a novel viscoelastic body to include the delay elastic deformation of marine soft clays under the external load, the proposed model is used to evaluate the theories of consolidation-creep coupling, strain rate dependency and stress relaxation of saturated marine soft clays, and hence, the methodology used to determine the parameters of the model is discussed. Ningbo marine soft clay is selected as an example to interpret the determination of the model parameters on a field scale. A series of conventional oedometer tests are conducted as well. Eventually, we utilize the model to simulate several kinds of rheological tests, including one-dimensional (1-D) long-term compression tests on Ningbo marine soft clays, 1-D constant rate of strain (CRS) tests on Batiscan clays and 1-D stress relaxation tests on Hong Kong marine deposits. These findings indicate good agreement between the computational and experimental results, suggesting the given model can provide reliable forecasts for the rheological characteristics of marine soft clays.     

Lateral and consolidation behaviors of seabed-type breakwater for very soft ground

A seabed-type of breakwater applicable to very soft ground without the need for soil improvement is newly developed. This type of soft-ground breakwater is expected to ensure sufficient lateral resistance and prevent excessive consolidation settlement due to self-weight of the breakwater. In this paper, lateral and consolidation behaviors of soft-ground breakwater were investigated by performing model tests and finite element simulations. The results revealed that the bottom wall and buoyant box, which are the main features of soft-ground breakwater, contribute to the increase in lateral resistance and to the control of the consolidation settlements, respectively, and that Terzaghi's consolidation theory could be conservatively adopted in deriving the consolidation settlements of soft-ground breakwater proposed herein.     

Biogrouting of hydraulic fill fine sands for reclamation projects

ABSTRACT

Biogrouting, which is a new method for soil improvement, was used in an attempt to cement a type of hydraulic fill fine sands (called black sands) in reclamation projects in Tianjin, China, to form a working layer for mechanical equipment. Several factors influencing biogrouting with regard to cementing solution, including injection frequency, reaction time, concentration, and flow rate, were controlled to prepare black sand columns. This paper reports on an investigation of bacterial fixation, calcium ion utilization, and calcium carbonate distributions of biogrouted sand specimens. At the end of the tests, the geotechnical performances of the sand specimens were determined. The results showed that the biogrouting method effectively solidified black sands, by increasing the unconfined compressive strength of a sand column to 1.91?MPa and reducing the permeability coefficient by three orders of magnitude. A relationship between the unconfined compressive strengths and calcium carbonate contents was put forward, in addition to a relationship between the permeability coefficients and the calcium carbonate contents. According to the experimental results, some reasonable suggestions regarding the application of biogrouting to the consolidation of hydraulic fill fine sands in reclamation projects were proposed.     

Simple consolidation method for dredger fill treatment using plastic vertical drains with vacuum

Abstract

Vacuum preloading with plastic vertical drains has been applied widely to accelerating consolidation of dredger fills. As a result of nonlinear variations in permeability and compression during the process of dredger fill consolidation, an axisymmetric consolidation method for dredger fill treatment using PVD with vacuum is proposed with varied R_u. The effects of C_c/C_k and the loading ratio on the proposed method are discussed. It is found that the difference between the traditional method and proposed method is obvious in the case of large loading ratio (such as dredger fill treated with vacuum preloading). The degree of consolidation in the early phase of consolidation obtained using the proposed method was less than that obtained using the traditional method and the degree of consolidation in the later phase of consolidation obtained using the modified expression was larger than that obtained using the traditional method, as C_c/C_k?<?1. However, opposite trends were observed when C_c/C_k?>?1, the proposed method was closer to the actual situation. The applicability of the proposed method was verified by laboratory and field tests. For the consolidation of dredger fill with high water content, we recommend the adoption of the proposed method for calculating the degree of consolidation.     

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.     

Protecting small cetaceans from coastal development: Impact assessment and mitigation experience in Hong Kong

Since the early 1990s, there has been an active program in Hong Kong to manage and protect local populations of small cetaceans from the effects of massive development in the area. This paper reviews the progress that has been made. Only two species regularly occur there: the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin and the finless porpoise. Because most development has occurred in the western waters of Hong Kong, where generally only the humpback dolphin occurs, most of the work has been conducted on that species. Development of large infrastructure projects (such as airports, bridges, expressways, power plants, fuel facilities, and container ports) in Hong Kong often results in land reclamation, dredging and dumping of spoils, pipe and cable laying, percussive and bored piling work, underwater blasting, large increases in vessel traffic, and other impacts. Several mitigation measures have been used with varying levels of success, including bubble curtains/jackets, exclusion zones, ramping up of piling hammers, acoustic decoupling of noisy equipment, vessel speed limits, no-dumping policies, and silt curtains. Baseline, construction-phase, and operational-phase cetacean monitoring is often conducted to evaluate the success of conservation measures put into place. The Environmental Impact Assessment process in Hong Kong has involved cetaceans to a degree perhaps higher than anywhere else in the world, and much can be learned from studying the successes and failures of this situation.     

The effect of suspended sediment concentration on the settling velocity of cohesive sediment in quiescent water

A laboratory study was carried to qualitatively investigate the effect of suspended sediment concentration C on the settling velocity w_s of cohesive sediment in quiescent water. A bay mud sample was mixed with water in a cylindrical container, and three optical back scatterance sensors were then used to measure suspended sediment concentrations of the mud–water mixture at three levels every 15 s for 5 h while sediments were settling in the quiescent water. Based on the measured sediment concentrations, the settling velocities at different concentrations were derived from the depth-integrated mass balance equation. This study has found that the settling velocity w_s is independent of C in the free settling regime of C<0.3 g/l, and then increases nonlinearly with C in the enhanced settling regime of 0.3<C<4.3 g/l, and finally decreases sharply with C in the hindered settling regime of C>4.3 g/l. The maximum settling velocity occurs at C≈4.3 g/l and is about nine times faster than the settling velocity in the free settling regime. A single empirical formula is also proposed to calculate the settling velocities at different sediment concentrations.     

Transverse mixing and surface heat exchange in the Waikato River: A comparison of two models

Abstract

Two mathematical models of different complexity were used to study transverse dispersion and surface heat transfer in the lower Waikato River. A simple analytical streamtube model (HPLUME) gave adequate temperature predictions in a reach where the channel was fairly regular but performed poorly where there were extensive shallows. In the latter reach, a two‐dimensional numerical model (SYSTEM21) gave good temperature and flow predictions once properly calibrated. Model calibration proved to be difficult in the Waikato River because the natural river temperature varied significantly along the channel. A search method was developed to estimate both the transverse dispersion and surface heat exchange coefficients from measured plume temperature profiles based on the observation that transverse variations in natural temperature were small. This method was used to calibrate SYSTEM21 in two separate reaches. Coefficient estimates were sensitive to measurement errors and slight departures in homogeneity of natural temperature and it would be desirable to corroborate the estimates of E_z using dye tests. In the upper reach, the average transverse dispersion coefficient was E_z/hu? = 1 which is high but within the range of published values. A sharp bend and buoyant spreading contributed to the high E_z value. E_z increased with river flow because both h and u? increase with flow. In the lower reach, E_z/hu? = 0.1 which is lower than expected but islands may have affected the model calibration. The surface heat exchange coefficient averaged K = 84–167 W m^?2 s^?1 °C^?1 which falls within the range of published values. No significant relationship could be found between surface heat exchange coefficient and meteorological variables.     

Immersed tunnel foundation on marine clay improved by sand compaction piles

The sand compaction pile (SCP) method can be applied to soft marine clay ground that is a reinforcement of composite ground consisting of compacted sand piles and surrounding clay. The application of SCP method in the immersed tunnel of Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge verify SCP method is a robust solution to limit the total settlement and differential longitudinal settlement and to promote smooth transition from immersed tunnel to artificial island. The SCP method has significant settlement reduction effect on marine clay. The SCPs can also function as a drainage path to accelerate the consolidation process in marine clay. It is also found that the consolidation rate of SCP-improved ground is delayed compared with that predicted program which is most probably because of the soil disturbance effect during the installation of SCPs.     

Experimental study on interaction between compressibility and permeability of a crushed sandstone–mudstone particle mixture

The present study focuses on the compressibility and permeability characteristics of a crushed sandstone–mudstone particle mixture (SMPM). Two type of laboratory tests, which are compressibility–permeability test (CPT) and compressibility test only (CTO), are performed. Based on the test data, the effects of the seepage action on the compressibility and ones of the void ratio (e) on the permeability are analyzed. The rate of consolidation of the crushed SMPM is also discussed. The values of compressibility index (C_c) obtained from the CPT are greater about 1.32–4.81% than ones obtained from the CTO, but the values of preconsolidation stress (σ_p) obtained from the CPT are smaller about 2.34–9.83% than ones obtained from the CTO. The slope of fitting line of e～logK (where K is the coefficient of permeability, and log is the logarithm to base 10), defined as the permeability index (K_c), ranges from 0.146 to 0.337 with an average of 0.226. The value of C_c/K_c, used to evaluate the rate of consolidation, ranges from 0.905 to 1.250 with an average of 1.031. The rate of consolidation of the crushed SMPM may be analyzed by Terzaghi’s theory due to the average value of C_c/K_c very close to 1.0.     

Vertical transport in the Black Sea

Investigations of the vertical exchange coefficientK _z , considering turbulent and advective transport, are summarized. The values ofK _z are determined from the climaticT, S characteristics, heat and salinity fluxes, and the rate of the low-Bosporus water transformation over the entire Black Sea water column; namely, in the upper mixed layer, the active layer, the cold intermediate layer, the halocline, and in the deep and near-bottom waters. A characteristic for annual fluctuations ofK _z in the active layer is given; it is noted that the coefficient tends to grow in transit from the centre of the cyclonic gyre toward its periphery.Translated by V. Puchkin.     

Laboratory and Field Observations for Golden Horn Marine Clay

Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and one of the major metropolitan areas in the world, cleaned one of its environmentally polluted areas—Golden Horn—by dredging 5 million m³ of the bottom sediments and pumping the resulting sludge to a storage area behind a dam built at an abandoned rock quarry site in Alibey district. The reclamation of the land that formed over the storage area of Golden Horn dredged material is socially and economically very desirable. In this paper, results from experimental studies that are focused on determining the shear strength behavior of the dredge material and undisturbed soil are presented. Slurry consolidometer test, large model tests and small model tests are used to consolidate the dredged soil samples from Halic to simulate the natural consolidation behavior of these soils. Shear strength parameters are determined by laboratory vane tests; unconfined compression tests; undrained-unconsolidated (UU) and consolidated-undrained (CU) triaxial tests on samples that are obtained through in situ undisturbed samples and laboratory model tank and slurry consolidation. Moreover, the effects of fly ash and lime additives on the undrained shear strength were determined by mixing the materials with the dredged clay from Golden Horn during the model experiments conducted in the laboratory. Based on these findings, equations are proposed that govern the relationships between undrained shear strength and water content value.     

Variability of wave-induced ripple migration in wave-flume experiments and its implications for sediment transport

A thorough discussion of results from laboratory experiments with regular waves sheds light on the gap that lies between the sediment transport associated with ripple migration and the performance of a standard bedload transport formula in terms of bed shear concept. It is found that the extent of deviations of the bedload transport formula by Ribberink (1998) from the measured rate of sediment transport associated with ripple migration becomes systematically apparent under conditions of increasing settling time factor Ω_s (= η/(w₀T); η is the ripple height, w₀ the settling velocity and T the wave period). Re-examination of previous two field studies demonstrates a further reinforcement for phase-lag argument addressed in this paper.     

Estimation of submarine groundwater discharge in Plover Cove, Tolo Harbour, Hong Kong by Rn

Algal blooms in Tolo Harbour, Hong Kong have received much attention and submarine groundwater discharge is speculated to be a significant pathway carrying nutrients into the constricted estuary. Plover Cove, a small cove in the Harbour, was selected for SGD analysis using ²²²Rn budget. The volumetric SGD rates are estimated to be about 8000 m³/day for neap tide and about 17,000 m³/day for spring tide. Result of nutrient analysis of the porewater indicates that the nutrient loading through this pathway is speculated to be crucial for eutrophication in Tolo Harbour. Current practice for the management of algal blooms in Hong Kong, in which nutrient loading through SGD was ignored, has to be reviewed and the control measures of groundwater contamination are obviously required.