Sedimentation and Self-Weight Consolidation Characteristics of Illite and Kaolinite Suspension

Abstract

In this study, we performed one dimensional cylindrical sedimentation tests to investigate the impact of clay mineralogy, ionic concentration, ionic valence on sedimentation, and self-consolidation behavior of clay. The result at 1,000% and 2,000% water content indicates that the water content = 2,000% showed higher self-consolidation coefficient and initial settling velocity, and faster initiation and termination of self-consolidation. Additionally, settling velocity decreased as ionic concentration (0.01 - 2 M) increased, and kaolinite showed higher settling velocity than illite. The observed sedimentation and self-consolidation experimental results implies the need for considering clay mineralogy, water content, ionic concentration, and ionic valence in the geotechnical behavior of high-water content clay sediment.