One-Dimensional Consolidation of Sedimented Stowed Pond Ash and Pond Ash-Lime Mixture Deposits-A Comparative Study

The present study investigates the influence of slaked lime addition on the one-dimensional consolidation properties of sedimented stowed pond ash (Class F category). The effects of step incremental consolidation pressure, lime addition, and curing time on the one-dimensional consolidation characteristics such as rate of settlement, consolidation coefficients, and void ratio, of the sedimented stowed pond ash and pond ash-lime mixture deposits are investigated using a fixed ring consolidometer. The study revealed that the void ratios of both the stowed pond ash and pond ash-lime mixture deposits decrease with the applied pressure. Comparatively, the stowed pond ash-lime mixture deposit demonstrated a higher void ratio than the stowed pond ash deposit. A decrease in coefficient of consolidation (C-v) values with the increase in consolidation pressure and curing time is also observed in the case of both deposits, thereby indicating a decrease in their compressibility. Owing to the addition of lime, an improvement in the consolidation characteristics in terms of increase in C-v values and decrease in final settlement of the sedimented stowed pond ash-lime mixture deposit is generally observed at higher consolidation pressures and longer curing time.