Required Cap Thickness

Required Cap Thickness

Determining the minimum required cap thickness depends on the physi-

cal and chemical properties of the contaminated and capping sediments,

hydrodynamic conditions such as currents and waves, potential for biotur-

bation of the cap by aquatic organisms, potential for consolidation of the

cap and underlying sediments, and operational considerations. Total thick-

ness can be composed of components for bioturbation, consolidation, ero-

sion, operational considerations, and chemical isolation. Schematics of

the cap thickness components and potential physical changes of the cap

thickness due to erosion, consolidation, etc., are shown in Figure 19.

Figure 19.

Schematics of cap thickness components and potential physical changes in cap thickness

Chapter 7 Dredged Material Cap Design