Abstract:
Peat is a problematic geotechnical material, which could cause large settlements when subjected
to loading because of the consolidation effect. Other than the well known factors which can have an impact on
consolidation of peat, according to Zhang and O’Kelly (2013) addition of salt grains also improves the primary
consolidation rate of peat specimens. In this research, the impact of salinity of water for the rate of consolidation
was analyzed. The samples were mixed prior to and after addition of salt to achieve identical samples.
Kaolin clay samples were used as a control specimen and those samples had no considerable effect on consolidation
rate with the addition of salt grains. It was found that under similar conditions of one dimensional loading,
consolidation rate of peat can be increased with the addition of salt. For quantitative analysis further experiments
are required.
Citation:
De Silva, K.H.S.S., & Nawagamuwa, U.P. (2016). Effect of salinity on consolidation of peat. In M.T.P. Hettiarachchi (Ed.), Proceedings of the Civil Engineering Research Symposium 2016 (pp. 17-20). Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa.
