Influence of Fly Ash–Based Geopolymer Binder on the Sedimentation Behavior of Dredged Mud
Publication: Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 143, Issue 5
Abstract
This laboratory study investigated the sedimentation behavior of a fly ash–based geopolymer-stabilized dredged-mud slurry extracted from the Port of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Settling-column tests were conducted to study the sedimentation behavior of 400%-water-content dredged mud of untreated and geopolymer-stabilized slurries at 6, 12, and 18% content by weight. Dredged-mud slurry interface height movements with elapsed time were recorded, and their settling patterns were observed. Mineralogical and microstructural characteristics of dried, untreated, and geopolymer-stabilized dredged-mud sediments were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The study found that a fly ash–based geopolymer gel coating the dredged-mud particles in the slurry led to a flocculated settling behavior, and the geopolymer stabilization reduced the overall dredged-mud slurry sedimentation duration. XRD and SEM/EDS analysis showed that the geopolymer stabilization altered the microstructure of stabilized dredged-mud sediment and reduced its desiccation shrinkage cracks.
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Acknowledgments
The funds for this research study are provided by the Australian Research Council. The fly ash material was supplied by the Cement Australia Pty. Ltd. Port of Townsville office. The authors acknowledge Warren O’Donnell, Senior Engineering Technician, Geomechanics Laboratory in the College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University in Townsville, Australia, for assistance during the laboratory testing work.
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Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 143 • Issue 5 • September 2017
Copyright
© 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 3, 2016
Accepted: Dec 13, 2016
Published online: Mar 31, 2017
Discussion open until: Aug 31, 2017
Published in print: Sep 1, 2017
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