Rheological Characterization of Fine-Grained Sediments under Steady and Dynamic Conditions
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22, Issue 1
Abstract
The objective of this study is to investigate the steady and dynamic rheological behavior and characteristics of fine-grained sediments. A series of laboratory tests were conducted using an Anton Paar MCR 102 rheometer to investigate the rheological properties of the fine-grained sediments at various water to solid (W/S) ratios. In the steady-state measurement condition, the results indicate that fine-grained sediments are a non-Newtonian viscous fluid, and the presence of yield stress of fine-grained sediments is evident and is influenced by the W/S ratios. For the determination of yield stress, two types of methods were used: by defining the minimum value of shear stress from flow curves experimental data in semilog scale and by modeling the flow curves following different rheological models. From the results obtained, it appears that the Casson model was the best one to characterize the rheological behavior of fine-grained sediments, because of its high coefficient of determination R2 and the lowest mean absolute percentage error, also close to the measured yield stress value. In the dynamic state measurement condition, the loss modulus (G″) is markedly smaller than the elastic modulus (G′), indicating that fine-grained sediments are predominantly elastic (in the range of amplitude and frequencies explored). The complex viscosity (η*) sharply decreases with the frequency increase, but the frequency dependence of the G′ and G″ is rather weak. The G′, G″, η*, and loss factor (tan δ) significantly reduced with the increase of the W/S ratio. In the end, the dynamic rheological properties of fine-grained sediments can be expressed as appropriate functions of the W/S ratios. This study not only provided a guideline for having a better understanding of the rheology of fine-grained sediments but will also provide scientific support for understanding and solving all kinds of natural and manmade activities involving fine-grained sediments, such as dredged sediments handling and transport by pipelines, landslides caused by rainfall or earthquake; generation and movement of mudflows, laying and maintenance of submarine cables and pipelines, and deep-sea mining engineering.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the financial support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51879202 and 52079098) and China Scholarship Council. The authors would also like to thank the support of IMT Nord Europe.
References
AFNOR (Association Française de Normalization). 1995. Soils: Investigation and testing—Determination of the water content of materials—Oven drying method. NF P94 050. Paris: AFNOR.
Bala, M., R. Zentar, and P. Boustingorry. 2019. “Comparative study of the yield stress determination of cement pastes by different methods.” Mater. Struct. 52 (5): 102. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-019-1403-4.
Burt, T. N. 1996. Guidelines for the beneficial use of dredged material. Rep. No. 488. Wallingford, UK: HR Wallingford.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2015. Geotechnical investigation and testing—Laboratory testing of soil—Part 3: Determination of particle density. ISO 17892-3. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2018. Geotechnical investigation and testing—Laboratory testing of soil—Part 12: Determination of liquid and plastic limits. EN ISO 17892-12. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2020. Particle size analysis—Laser diffraction methods. EN ISO 13320. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
De Larrard, F., C. F. Ferraris, and T. Sedran. 1998. “Fresh concrete: A Herschel-Bulkley material.” Mater. Struct. 31 (7): 494–498. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02480474.
Dia, M., J. Ramaroson, A. Nzihou, R. Zentar, N. E. Abriak, G. Depelsenaire, and A. Germeau. 2014. “Effect of chemical and thermal treatment on the geotechnical properties of dredged sediment.” Procedia Eng. 83: 159–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2014.09.034.
Faas, R. W., and S. I. Wartel. 2006. “Rheological properties of sediment suspensions from Eckernforde and Kieler Forde bays, western Baltic Sea.” Int. J. Sediment Res. 21 (1): 24.
Güllü, H. 2016. “Comparison of rheological models for jet grout cement mixtures with various stabilizers.” Constr. Build. Mater. 127: 220–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.09.129.
Lang, L., B. Chen, and Y. Pan. 2020a. “Engineering properties evaluation of unfired sludge bricks solidified by cement-fly ash-lime admixed nano-SiO2 under compaction forming technology.” Constr. Build. Mater. 259: 119879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119879.
Lang, L., N. Liu, and B. Chen. 2020b. “Strength development of solidified dredged sludge containing humic acid with cement, lime and nano-SiO2.” Constr. Build. Mater. 230: 116971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.116971.
Mezger, T. G. 2011. The rheology handbook: For users of rotational and oscillatory rheometers. 3rd ed. Hannover, Germany: Vincentz Network.
Olmsted, P. D. 2008. “Perspectives on shear banding in complex fluids.” Rheol. Acta 47 (3): 283–300. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00397-008-0260-9.
Otsubo, K., and K. Muraoka. 1988. “Critical shear stress of cohesive bottom sediments.” J. Hydraul. Eng. 114 (10): 1241–1256. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(1988)114:10(1241).
Peng, J., D. Deng, Z. Liu, Q. Yuan, and T. Ye. 2014. “Rheological models for fresh cement asphalt paste.” Constr. Build. Mater. 71: 254–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.08.031.
Rahman, M., J. Wiklund, R. Kotzé, and U. Håkansson. 2017. “Yield stress of cement grouts.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 61: 50–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2016.09.009.
Ross, M. A., and A. J. Mehta. 1989. “On the mechanics of lutoclines and fluid mud.” J. Coastal Res. S5: 51–62.
Sahdi, F., C. Gaudin, and D. J. White. 2014. “Strength properties of ultra-soft kaolin.” Can. Geotech. J. 51 (4): 420–431. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2013-0236.
Schall, P., and M. van Hecke. 2010. “Shear bands in matter with granularity.” Annu. Rev. Fluid Mech. 42 (1): 67–88. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-fluid-121108-145544.
Shakeel, A., A. Kirichek, and C. Chassagne. 2020. “Rheological analysis of mud from Port of Hamburg, Germany.” J. Soils Sediments 20 (6): 2553–2562. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-019-02448-7.
Soltanpour, M., and F. Samsami. 2011. “A comparative study on the rheology and wave dissipation of kaolinite and natural Hendijan Coast mud, the Persian Gulf.” Ocean Dyn. 61 (2–3): 295–309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-011-0378-7.
Van Kessel, T., and C. Blom. 1998. “Rheology of cohesive sediments: Comparison between a natural and an artificial mud.” J. Hydraul. Res. 36 (4): 591–612. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221689809498611.
Vance, K., G. Sant, and N. Neithalath. 2015. “The rheology of cementitious suspensions: A closer look at experimental parameters and property determination using common rheological models.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 59: 38–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2015.03.001.
Wang, D., N. E. Abriak, and R. Zentar. 2013a. “Strength and deformation properties of Dunkirk marine sediments solidified with cement, lime and fly ash.” Eng. Geol. 166: 90–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.09.007.
Wang, D., N. E. Abriak, R. Zentar, and W. Chen. 2013b. “Effect of lime treatment on geotechnical properties of Dunkirk sediments in France.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 14 (3): 485–503. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2012.755935.
Wang, D., N. E. Abriak, R. Zentar, and W. Xu. 2012. “Solidification/stabilization of dredged marine sediments for road construction.” Environ. Technol. 33 (1): 95–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2011.551840.
Wang, D., X. Gao, R. Wang, S. Larsson, and M. Benzerzour. 2020. “Elevated curing temperature-associated strength and mechanisms of reactive MgO-activated industrial by-products solidified soils.” Mar. Georesour. Geotechnol. 38 (6): 659–671. https://doi.org/10.1080/1064119X.2019.1610817.
Wang, D., H. Wang, and Y. Jiang. 2019. “Water immersion-induced strength performance of solidified soils with reactive MgO-A Green and low carbon binder.” J. Test. Eval. 47 (2): 1569–1585.
Wang, D., H. Wang, and X. Wang. 2017a. “Compressibility and strength behavior of marine soils solidified with MgO—A green and low carbon binder.” Mar. Georesour. Geotechnol. 35 (6): 878–886. https://doi.org/10.1080/1064119X.2016.1258095.
Wang, D., R. Zentar, and N. E. Abriak. 2016. “Interpretation of compression behavior of structured and remolded marine soils.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 28 (6): 04016005. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001503.
Wang, D., R. Zentar, and N. E. Abriak. 2017b. “Temperature-accelerated strength development in stabilized marine soils as road construction materials.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 29 (5): 04016281. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001778.
Xu, J., and A. Huhe. 2016. “Rheological study of mudflows at Lianyungang in China.” Int. J. Sediment Res. 31 (1): 71–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2014.06.002.
Yang, W., S. K. Tan, H. Wang, and G. Yu. 2014a. “Rheological properties of bed sediments subjected to shear and vibration loads.” J. Waterw. Port Coastal Ocean Eng. 140 (1): 109–113. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)WW.1943-5460.0000211.
Yang, W. Y., G. L. Yu, and H. K. Wang. 2014b. “Rheological properties of dense natural cohesive sediments subject to shear loadings.” Int. J. Sediment Res. 29 (4): 454–470. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-6279(14)60059-7.
Zentar, R., D. Wang, N. E. Abriak, M. Benzerzour, and W. Chen. 2012. “Utilization of siliceous–aluminous fly ash and cement for solidification of marine sediments.” Constr. Build. Mater. 35: 856–863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.04.024.
Zentar, R., H. Wang, and D. Wang. 2021. “Comparative study of stabilization/solidification of dredged sediments with ordinary Portland cement and calcium sulfo-aluminate cement in the framework of valorization in road construction material.” Constr. Build. Mater. 279: 122447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122447.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22 • Issue 1 • January 2022
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 8, 2020
Accepted: Sep 11, 2021
Published online: Nov 10, 2021
Published in print: Jan 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Apr 10, 2022
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Lei Lang, Bing Chen, Jiangshan Li, High-efficiency stabilization of dredged sediment using nano-modified and chemical-activated binary cement, Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 10.1016/j.jrmge.2022.12.007, (2023).
- Xinminnan Hui, Yong Wan, Xingxing He, Jiang-shan Li, Xiao Huang, Lei Liu, Qiang Xue, Using alkali-activated dredge sludge ash-bentonite for low permeability cutoff walls: The engineering properties and micromechanism, Environmental Technology & Innovation, 10.1016/j.eti.2023.103060, 30, (103060), (2023).
- Jiefeng Liu, Sa Li, Guijuan Duan, Steady rheological behavior and unified strength model for reconstituted deep-sea sediments, Engineering Geology, 10.1016/j.enggeo.2023.107058, 316, (107058), (2023).
- Mohamed Abdellah Ezzaouini, Gil Mahé, Ilias Kacimi, Ali El Bilali, Abdelaziz Zerouali, Ayoub Nafii, Predicting Daily Suspended Sediment Load Using Machine Learning and NARX Hydro-Climatic Inputs in Semi-Arid Environment, Water, 10.3390/w14060862, 14, 6, (862), (2022).
- Shaohua Wang, Zhiguo He, Hengye Gu, Yuezhang Xia, The “two-step” yielding process of the natural mud under steady and oscillatory shear stress, Frontiers in Earth Science, 10.3389/feart.2022.1010710, 10, (2022).
- Hongwei Wang, Rachid Zentar, Dongxing Wang, Predicting the compaction parameters of solidified dredged fine sediments with statistical approach, Marine Georesources & Geotechnology, 10.1080/1064119X.2021.2023827, 41, 2, (195-210), (2022).
- Hongwei Wang, Rachid Zentar, Dongxing Wang, Fatima Ouendi, New Applications of Ordinary Portland and Calcium Sulfoaluminate Composite Binder for Recycling Dredged Marine Sediments as Road Materials, International Journal of Geomechanics, 10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0002373, 22, 6, (2022).