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Virginia Tech

Settling and sedimentation behavior of fine-grained materials

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Channeling has already been an observed phenomenon that often occurs during settling and sedimentation processes of finer materials. However, it has been regarded as a minor factor affecting settling process, e.g. settling velocity or consolidation rate. In this study, settling behaviors of talcs, kaolins and attapulgite were reviewed by experiments with small and large settling columns with special focus on channel formation during sedimentation. The large settling column is equipped with twenty eight measuring points, which are connected to pressure transducers for measuring pore pressure changes during settling. Throughout the study, channel formation was observed and related to the experimental conditions affecting it. The excess pore pressure changes were measured during the large column tests. Channels occurred under flocculation in zone settling and also in consolidation zones; pressure drop was observed near channels in some cases. It was apparent that channels work as a facilitator to dissipate the excess pore water pressure. It is summarized that not only initial concentration but also the material properties, such as specific gravity and shape of particles, can affect the channel formation.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Civil Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Civil Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2005

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Nam, Soonkie
Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Diplas, Panayiotis
  • Gutierrez, Marte S.
Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Brandon, Thomas L.

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-05162005-231257
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/42677

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Nam, Soonkie. Settling and sedimentation behavior of fine-grained materials. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/42677