One-Dimensional Consolidation of Sedimented Stowed Pond Ash and Pond Ash-Lime Mixture Deposits—A Comparative Study

Abstract

The present study investigates the influence of slaked lime addition on the one-dimensional consolidation properties of sedimented stowed pond ash (Class F category). The effects of step incremental consolidation pressure, lime addition, and curing time on the one-dimensional consolidation characteristics such as rate of settlement, consolidation coefficients, and void ratio, of the sedimented stowed pond ash and pond ash-lime mixture deposits are investigated using a fixed ring consolidometer. The study revealed that the void ratios of both the stowed pond ash and pond ash-lime mixture deposits decrease with the applied pressure. Comparatively, the stowed pond ash-lime mixture deposit demonstrated a higher void ratio than the stowed pond ash deposit. A decrease in coefficient of consolidation (Cv) values with the increase in consolidation pressure and curing time is also observed in the case of both deposits, thereby indicating a decrease in their compressibility. Owing to the addition of lime, an improvement in the consolidation characteristics in terms of increase in Cv values and decrease in final settlement of the sedimented stowed pond ash-lime mixture deposit is generally observed at higher consolidation pressures and longer curing time.