Model tests on sedimentation behavior of dredged sludge

Based on the marine sludge from Kemen Harbor in Fujian Province and the dredged sludge from Baima Lake in Jiangsu Province,model tests were performed to investigate the sedimentation rules of dredged sludge in slack water through laboratory natural sedimentation experiments.The influences of model size,sedimentary environments(saline water and fresh water) and the initial water content on the sedimentation rate and amount were discussed.The range of water content after sedimentation stability of dredged sludge was analyzed.The test results indicate that the initial water content and model scale are the main factors for the sedimentation of dredged sludge.The stable water content of dredged sludge is 2.2 to 3.4 times the liquid limit when the initial water content is 3 to 10 times the liquid limit after completion of its natural sedimentation.