Abstract
In order to examine the process of sediment consolidation, a new technique was developed to measure the velocities of individual particles, V s , as a function of the time, t, and absolute elevation, h. A series of batch settling tests was conducted, with a CCD camera and microscope objective positioned at a different elevation in each test. At a given time during the sediment consolidation, the particles in the field of view were observed to be in close contact and to move downwards en masse. Within a limited domain of the h vs t plane, the velocity of a particle varied empirically according to V s = V 0 −2( h t ) 3 , where V 0 was a constant. Deviations from this relationship occurred toward the end of the consolidation when all movement appeared to cease, and at positions near the top of the sediment.
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