Simulation and experimental determination of a consolidating mud deposit

A computatronal model was developed to simulate the consolidation of a mud bed formed by repeated deposition of estuarine mud layers. To test the theoretical study, a series of laboratory experiments were undertaken in settling columns. These experiments provided data on the bed density, thickness, mass and void ratio with time. This research project deals with suspended mud concentrations within the range encountered in estuaries and also simulates the consolidation path within a much smaller time range (hours to weeks) thus giving a much more usable prediction of the density profile of an estuarine bed deposit. Furthermore this mathematical model simulates the cyclic depositional sequence of an estuary.