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Sustainable geotechnics warrants exploring beneficial reuse of the large volume of fine grained soils which are produced annually in various forms such as dredged soils and mine tailings. Often these soils are at very high moisture content, and are therefore referred to herein as VHMS for Very High Moisture Soils. These soils exhibit poor engineering properties such as low shear strength and high compressibility. This dissertation presents results from experiments conducted primarily to assess geotechnical properties over time of lightly cemented VHMS (referred to as LC-VHMS and defined as 5% or less cement by slurry mass). The main objectives of this dissertation are to show that very high moisture dredged soils can be stabilized with low dosages of portland limestone cement (PLC) or ordinary portland cement (OPC) to achieve useful properties for some beneficial reuse applications such as filling geotextile tubes. This dissertation’s efforts differ from other dredged soil stabilization efforts due to lower cement dosages and property comparisons between traditionally used OPC and the more sustainable PLC. Several different combinations of moisture content, cement type, and cement content were prepared and tested over time on dredged soils collected from disposal facilities near the ports of Memphis and Mobile. The experiment results indicate that meaningful shear strength improvements were sometimes observed, and pozzolanic strength gain tendencies were documented, which supported the position that LC-VHMS, especially with PLC, is sustainable and can achieve suitable engineering properties for some beneficial reuse applications.

Sediments excavated from dredging operations are known as dredged materials. Beneficial reuse of dredged materials in confined utilization facilities (CUFs) is a new approach that has the potential to productively utilize large quantities of dredged materials. However, several factors can inhibit the use of dredged materials in CUFs. In this study, high levels of salts and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated. In the first part of this study, 176,000 m3 of saline dredged materials was placed into a CUF. In less than 4 years, most of the dredged materials had developed horizonation and converted to Inceptisols. The formation of pedogenic Bg horizons in these soils occurred after a polygonal prism network had developed which partially disintegrated into a blocky structured, oxidized horizon with an abundance of redoximorphic features. During the study period, the soil chemistry of the weathering dredged materials shifted from Na-dominated to Ca and Mg-dominated system, allowing plant invasion. In the second part of the study, a bench-scale greenhouse bioremediation experiment was conducted to test the effectiveness of biosolids, compost, and straw at enhancing PAH degradation. Initial concentrations of PAHs decreased significantly after 150 days using standard methods of extraction. However, at 327 days the concentrations of many PAHs, especially those with higher molecular weights, had rebounded close to initial levels. This indicates that PAH bioremediation studies using organic matter additions and conducted using standard methods of extraction need to be carried out longer periods of time or that extraction methods need to be improved. / Master of Science

With the ever increasing need for MSE walls, the study of the interaction between soil and geosynthetics has become increasingly relevant. New concepts are constantly being researched, including the use of industrial byproducts as alternative backfill materials. The idea that byproduct material could somehow be a suitable fill for these MSE walls may spark new opportunities. One such byproduct being researched is dredged material. The suitability of dredged material as a backfill would not only contribute to lower construction costs, but would also benefit local confined disposal facilities looking to reduce their already overflowing dredged material accumulation. This thesis further considers the use of dredged material by evaluating its interface shear strength with uniaxial geogrids. A series of laboratory pullout tests were conducted using two types of uniaxial geogrids (UX1400 and UX1700) embedded in three different soil types (Monterey Sand and two different dredged materials). The laboratory results are used to examine the effect on the coefficient of interaction of the various parameters governing the pullout resistance. The results of this study show that: (1) the presence of adhesion to characterize the soil-reinforcement interface shear strength causes a decrease in the coefficient of interaction with increasing normal stress, (2) the reinforcement length of the geogrid was found not to affect the coefficient of interaction; provided that boundary effects are minimized, (3) the dredged material, tested wet of optimum, showed a response consistent with an undrained behavior, which produced pullout resistances significantly lower than that of the Monterey Sand, (4) the coefficient of interaction for the UX1700 was comparatively higher than that for the UX1400; however the differences obtained when testing Monterey Sand were similar to those obtained when testing the dredged materials. / text

Disposal of dredged material has been an on-going problem in the Auckland Coastal Marine Area (CMA) since the early 1980s in New Zealand. Many disposal grounds have been established and used, but public concern over adverse effects resulted in their ultimate closure. Presently, dredged material is disposed off-shore at a site simultaneously accessed by the Royal New Zealand Navy for disposal of WWII munitions recovered from coastal areas. As early as the mid-1990s, parliamentary focus groups established the need for a more suitable disposal option for dredged material. Establishment of a disposal site north of Cuvier Island in waters deeper than 100 m was one of the key recommendations presented by these groups. The need for a new site was compounded after the establishment of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park in 2000. Taking up the majority of the Auckland CMA this culturally significant Park makes the consent for open water disposal a complex process. A site east of Great Barrier Island in 140 m of water has been identified as a potential suitable site for disposal of dredged material. The main goal of the present study is to determine the suitability of this site and provide the necessary information required by enforcing authorities for permit submission. Investigations to determine the suitability of the site were undertaken in several ways. An extensive literature review of previous studies was carried out to gain insight into the physical and biological characteristics of the northeast coast and shelf. The main hydrodynamic features of the region and the observed behaviours were determined. Attentions were then directed at determining the more specific site characteristics. Analytical calculations were undertaken using known site parameters to estimate the potential for transport of sediment away from the site after disposal. Through analysis of known wave and current measurements it was estimated that only rarely would sediment be entrained off the seafloor. Samples were then collected from the site in November 2007, which were used for sediment textural analysis and benthic identification. It was determined that the main textural component of the site sediments is muddy/sand. Diversity of benthic species is relatively high, but abundance is low. Polychaetes were the most diverse and abundant taxon identified at sample locations across the site. Next, the 3DD model was used to numerically simulate 2-dimensional tidal currents. Depth-averaged spring tidal currents at the site were predicted to be less than 0.2 ms-1. The derived bottom velocity for such a current is 0.08 ms-1, which is much less than the velocity required for initiation of sediment movement in this case. The numerical simulation also showed that residual spring tidal flow is directed to the southeast. Finally, an assessment of potential impacts was done by reviewing previous studies of ecological impacts caused by disposal of dredged material. Based on the preliminary studies summarised above, the review of potential impacts indicates that there will only be minimal effects at and surrounding the proposed site. The result of this study is an encouraging step toward establishment of a new disposal option, but further research is required to confidently declare that the site is suitable for disposal operations.

Free-fall penetrometers (FFP) are useful instruments for the rapid characterization of seabed sediments. However, the interpretation of FFP data remains largely a skilled task. In order to increase the reliability of results obtained using these instruments, in both expert and non-expert hands, it is advantageous to establish well defined and repeatable procedures for instrument use and data interpretation. The purpose of this research was therefore to develop and refine methods for the interpretation of FFP data. Data were gathered with the FFP Nimrod during two surveys following dredging in Sydney Harbour, Nova Scotia. The challenge of interpreting the data from these two surveys in an efficient and consistent manner was the basis of this work and led to the development of new techniques for improving resolution of the mud-line, identifying areas of erosion and deposition, and qualitatively evaluating the consolidation state of cohesive marine sediments. The method developed for improving the resolution of the mud-line simply describes a procedure of combining the data from different accelerometers with different accuracies and ranges to more clearly define the point of impact with the sea-floor. The method developed to evaluate in-situ sediment consolidation state combines theories of self-weight consolidation and ultimate bearing capacity to predict a range of potential bearing capacities for normally consolidated cohesive sediments. Finally, by combining the previous two methods a third method is proposed for locating areas of potential erosion and deposition. / Master of Science

To minimize coastal land loss and create new land, dredged sediment has been in use in coastal Louisiana during the last several years. Engineering properties and material characteristics of dredged material are input parameters in several mathematical models used to predict the long-term hydrodynamic behavior of the coast. Therefore, proper characterization of the dredged material is of utmost importance in the correct design of coastal restoration and land creation projects. The sedimentation characteristics of the dredged material, among other factors, depends on the (a) grain size distribution of the dredged material, (b) salinity (fresh, brackish, or saltwater environment) of the composite slurry, and (c) concentration of the solid particles in the slurry. In this research, dredged sediments obtained from actual coastal restoration projects were characterized. Furthermore, the effects of grain size distribution, salinity and solid particle concentration on sedimentation characteristics have been evaluated.

There is a demand to reestablish a healthy coastal ecosystem by rebuilding wetlands with river diversion or dredged sediments in coastal Louisiana. Land building projects using dredged sediments from adjacent canals and river beds, can be used to protect the coastal properties and infrastructure systems from flood and storm surges. To predict the sediment’s long term behavior, math models require input parameters based on sediment engineering properties and material characteristics. Proper characterization is critical for accurate design of coastal restoration projects. The dredge material sedimentation characteristics and their effects on the settlement rate of suspended solid particles and underlying foundation soil depend, among other factors, on the grain size distribution of the dredged material, salinity of the composite slurry, and slurry solid particles concentration. This research evaluated the effects of grain size distribution, salinity, and initial solids concentration on the sedimentation characteristics of fine grained dredged sediments in Coastal Louisiana.

La gestion au long terme des sédiments de dragage contaminés soulève le problème du devenir des éléments potentiellement toxiques contenus dans ces matrices. Les paramètres physicochimiques influencent la spéciation et la distribution des contaminants sur les différentes phases porteuses organiques ou minérales, ainsi lors de la gestion à terre des sédiments la modification de facteurs tels que l’aération, les cycles d’humectation/séchage et l’activité bactérienne va influencer les paramètres physico-chimiques et donc la spéciation des contaminants. Afin de préciser les mécanismes responsables de la mobilité des éléments potentiellement toxiques et d’estimer l’acceptabilité environnementale des sédiments de dragage en scénario de valorisation (p. ex. butte paysagère, remblai ou sous couche routière), l’étude a été axée sur trois principales étapes :I établir la caractérisation totale des sédiments (granulométrie, minéralogie, teneur en eau, composition de la phase solide, composition de l’eau interstitielle) et évaluer selon des procédures normaliséesl’influence de facteurs (pH, L/S, température…) sur la lixiviation des éléments et sur les mécanismes géochimiques mpliqués ; II développer un jeu de paramètres d’entrée pour le code géochimique ORCHESTRA selon des procédures normalisées (quantification des phases porteuses les plus réactives : argiles, carbonates, oxy-hydroxydes de fer ou d’aluminium et matière organique - acide fulviques et humiques) ; III modéliser et prédire les courbes de solubilité des éléments décrites lors des tests normalisés issus de l’étape (i) par l’intermédiaire du jeu de paramètres d’entrée défini dans l’étape II. Les tests de lixiviation et la réalisation de modèles sont des approches complémentaires, indispensables pour appréhender et préciser les mécanismes contrôlant la mobilité et la rétention des éléments. Les modélisations des tests de lixiviation dynamique en colonne sont très sensibles aux variations des paramètres d’entrée, c’est pourquoi les modèles pour les éléments majeurs doivent être le plus adéquats possible. En général, les prédictions pour Al, Ca, Cl, Fe, H2CO3, Mg, Si, SO4, Cu, Cr, MoO4 2- , Pb et Zn ont été proches des données expérimentales, ce qui a indiqué que les processus majoritaires contrôlant la solubilité des éléments ont été pris en compte. Par contre, les prédictions pour Ni et As n’ont pas été satisfaisantes, montrant que certains processus de rétention restent encore inconnus et qu’ils ne sont pas pris en compte par la base de données MINETEQ2A. Pour mieux décrire le comportement d'As, il semblerait intéressant d’intégrer, dans le module NiCA-Donan, la complexation potentielle d'As par la MON. / The long-term management of contaminated dredged sediments raises the problem of the fate of the potentially toxic element contained in these matrixes. The physico-chemical parameters influence the speciation and distribution of contaminants between organic or inorganic bearing phases, and the terrestrial management of sediment induces the modification of factors such as oxydation, wetting / drying cycles or bacterial activity that will influence the physico-chemical parameters and thus the contaminant speciation. In order to identify the main mechanisms responsible for the mobility ofpotentially toxic elements and to estimate the environmental acceptability of dredged sediment in valuation scenario (as hill landscape, road fill or undercoat), the study was organized following three main steps I characterizing the sediment (particle size, mineralogy, moisture content, solid phase and pore water composition) and evaluating factors (pH, L / S, temperature ...) that control the leaching of elements, according to standardized procedures, II developing a set of input parameters for the geochemical code ORCHESTRA according to standardized procedures (quantification of the most reactive carrier phases : clays, carbonates, oxyhydroxides of iron or aluminum and organic matter - fulvic and humic acid) III modeling and predicting the solubility curves of the elements described in the standardized tests from step (i) using the set of input parameters defined in step (ii). Leaching tests and implementation models are complementary approaches that are necessary to understand the mechanisms controlling the mobility and retention of elements. Modeling of column dynamic leaching tests is very sensitive to changes in input parameters, so the model for the major elements should be as adequate as possible. The obtained predictions for Al, Ca, Cl, Fe, H2CO3, Mg, Si, SO4 2-, Cu, Cr, MoO4 2-, Pb and Zn were close to the experimental data, which indicates that the main processes controlling the solubility of elements were taken into account. The predictions for Ni and As, however, were not satisfactory, showing that some retention processes are still unknown or were not taken into account by the database MINETEQ2A. A better description of As behavior would require to include inAs complexation by the MON in the module Nica-Donan.

Increasing quantities of dredged material (DM) from navigation waterways have led to a growing need to find alternative methods of disposal. Using this material in earthwork construction is a very attractive avenue, but poses concern of quality from a geotechnical standpoint. By blending DM with granular materials like industrial steel slag fines (SSF), studies have showed that the geotechnical properties of the mixture are greatly enhanced. If these materials can be proven to be competitive for use in earthwork construction, they would pose as an economically viable alternative, and would obviate the need for the relatively expensive conventional granular backfill. The scope of this project entailed the characterization of pullout interaction of SSF-DM blends in different proportions with Tensar uniaxial geogrids to determine an optimal combination for usage in earthwork construction. The media used for testing included the individual SSF and DM materials, and the 80/20, 50/50 and 20/80 blends mixed based on dry unit weights of the individual components. The SSF media comprised of particles smaller than 3/8 in. and classified as SW, while the DM was classified OH soil. Two Tensar uniaxial geogrids UX1400 and UX1700 were undertaken for the study. Pullout tests were conducted and performances of all the blends are compared with each geogrid at various normal pressures. Pullout loads and interaction coefficients give an idea of the quality of the interaction, and are studied in this thesis. Also, various variables that could potentially affect the pullout interaction are identified and investigated. Results show remarkably high pullout resistances for the 100% SSF and 80/20 SSF/DM media, and high interaction coefficients indicating excellent pullout interaction, even better than conventional sands. It was also clear that the dredged material exhibits very poor pullout interaction with geogrids. The 50/50 and the 20/80 SSF/DM media were significantly lower than the 80/20 SSF/DM blend in terms of quality of pullout interaction, but still higher than the 100% DM. The results observed with the 80/20 SSF/DM blend show that it is a suitable backfill material and also poses to be a very competitive and cost-effective alternative to be used in earthwork construction. / text