Quiescent Consolidation of Phosphatic Waste Clays

Abstract

A number of currently employed mathematical formulations used in modeling one‐dimensional quiescent consolidation of phosphatic waste clay ponds are reviewed. It is shown theoretically, as well as through an example, that the excess pore water pressure, void ratio, and ground settlements of the models investigated are identical, with the only difference being in the selection of coordinate representation or dependent variables. Correlation between centrifuge prediction of a prototype pond and theory is presented with material parameters obtained from the laboratory. It is concluded that even though the effective stress versus void ratio representation is acceptable, the present laboratory techniques of finding void ratio versus permeability are deficient.