SUMMARY - doerd10013

ERDC TN-DOER-D1

August 2004

To estimate permeability (saturated hydraulic conductivity), Carrier and Beckman (1984) pro-

posed the following equation for remolded clays:

k = 0.0174 [e 0.027 (PL-0.242PI) / PI]4.29 / (1+e)

(18)

where

k = permeability, m/sec

e = void ratio

PL = plastic limit percent

PI = plasticity index

SUMMARY: Geotechnical parameters required for numerical models may be easily predicted or

estimated using material property correlations obtained from both standardized and innovative

geotechnical tests. Both published and experimental correlation equations are presented herein

for application to typical fine-grained remolded dredged materials (i.e., in a physically disturbed

state such as that imposed by mechanical or hydraulic dredging operations). The following geo-

technical parameters may be rapidly estimated based on dredged material test data, using one or

more of the approximately 18 equations listed heretofore:

Water content

Bulk wet unit weight (commonly referred to as bulk density)

Atterberg limits (liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index, and liquidity index)

Specific gravity

Void ratio and porosity

Percent solids (by weight or volume)

Undrained shear strength

Effective stress

Compression index

Permeability

Obtaining geotechnical parameters using the above correlation equations does not substitute for

standardized laboratory testing requirements. All correlations and non-standardized test methods

presented herein are intended to be used as guidance for estimating purposes only, due to their

empirical origins.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Questions about this technical note can be addressed to

Mr. Landris T. Lee (601-634-2661, Fax 601-634-3453, e-mail: Landris.T.Lee@erdc.usace.army.

mil). This technical note and associated research work is funded by the Dredging Operations and

Environmental Research (DOER) Program 12B Nearshore Focus Area Work Unit 33292 titled

"Geotechnical Properties of Dredged Material." Program Manager of the DOER is Dr. Robert

M. Engler (601-634-3624, Robert.M.Engler@erdc.usace.army.mil), and the Nearshore Focus