Assessment of Hindered Settling of Fluid Mudlike Suspensions

Abstract

A formula for the hindered settling velocity of fluid mudlike suspensions is determined based on Darcy's equation for pore water seepage in a consolidating particulate matrix, in which the specific permeability is obtained by assuming interstitial capillary flow to be described by the Hagen-Poiseuille equation. Sediment-specific parameters in the velocity formula are evaluated from a series of experiments in which initially suspended mixtures of dense fine-grained sediments and water at different salinities were allowed to settle. From the results it is concluded that the essential physical process by which hindered settling occurs appears to be well captured by treating settling and consolidation in a unified way.