To browse Academia. A series of experiments, which determine the consolidation and strength development of fresh mud deposits from Markermeer Lake the Netherlands , is described. This novel approach mimics land and crust formation with soft soils.
The influence of crust formation and sediment variability on the consolidation process is carefully studied, as well as the physical-chemical interactions. The results provide engineering rules for wetland creation and contribute to the understanding of the dominant mechanisms for soil formation from soft sediments. Methods Consolidation experiments are conducted in 1. To allow horizontal drainage, a porous pipe equipped with a filter only permeable for water is placed in the centre of the column and the water is slowly pumped out.
All columns are equipped with an impermeable base. On their walls, a scale bar allows the measurement of the consolidation development. The settlement of the water-mud interface, and the subsequent wet-dry and dry mud-air interfaces, are monitored by video.
In addition, ten pore water pressure ports are installed at intervals of 5. An extra reference pressure port, which is always located above the sediment, is placed at 1.
All the entries are provided with a Vyon plastic filter to prevent sediment leaking. This method was previously used by Bowden , Merckelbach and Te Slaa et al.
