Table 1. Appropriate Characterization Tests for Determining Physical and Engineering Properties of Dredged Material to Evaluate Its Suitability for Beneficial Uses

Technical Note DOER-C2

May 1999

Table 1

Appropriate Characterization Tests for Determining Physical and Engineering

Properties of Dredged Material to Evaluate Its Suitability for Beneficial Uses

Physical Analysis

Source

1. Grain Size

Standard Sieve Test

ASTM D422-63; COE V; DOD 2-III, 2-V, 2-VI;

CSSS 47.4

Hydrometer Test

ASTM D422-63; CSSS 47.3; COE V

Pipette Test

CSSS 47.2

2. Particle Shape/Texture

ASTM D2488, D4791-95, and D3398-93

3. Water Content/% Moisture

ASTM D2216-92; COE I-1; DOD 2-VII

4. Permeability

ASA: 41-3 and 41-4; ASTM D2434-68

5. Atterberg Limits (Plasticity)

ASTM D4318-9 5; COE III; DOD 2-VIII

6. Organic Content/Organic Matter

ASTM D2487-93

Engineering Properties

Source

7. Compaction Tests

Proctors

COE VI

Standard Compaction Test

ASTM D698-91

Modified Compaction Test

ASTM D1557-91

15 Blow Compaction Test

ASTM D5080-93

California Bearing Ratio

DOD 2-IX

8. Consolidation Tests

COE VIII; ASTM D2435-90

9. Shear Strength

UU (unconsolidated, undrained)

COE X-18

CU (consolidated, undrained)

COE X-29

CD (consolidated, drained)

COE IX-38

Notes:

ASTM = American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM 1996).

ASA = American Society of Agronomy/Soil Science Society of America. Method of Soil Analysis,

Part-1, 1965.

COE = EM 1110-2-1906 (Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1986).

CSSS = Canadian Society of Soil Science (Carter 1993).

DOD = U.S. Department of the Army, Navy, and Air Force 1987.

(f) plasticity, and (g) organic content. The engineering properties are used to determine the

compactability, consolidation, and shear strength of the dredged material. An assessment of

chemical properties can indicate the actions required to (a) obtain the desired pH or salinity,

(b) determine a liming requirement to enhance buffering capacity or nutrient availability for plant

growth, (c) improve texture, and (d) determine if inorganic (e.g., metals) or organic contaminants

(e.g., PAHs, PCBs) are present. Finally, the biological properties must be assessed to (a) evaluate

the bioavailability of contaminants to plants and animals, (b) determine the potential for adverse

environmental impacts, and (c) determine if control measures or restrictions are required to prevent

adverse environmental impacts.