ABSTRACT
The management and storage of fine-grained dredged materials remains a prime objective in all countries, which exhibit a considerable level of maritime activity. As long as recycling techniques are not feasible, underwater storage of the dredged material (dredged silt) is by far the most feasable technology not enhancing excessive costs. Once in place the silt tends to undergo a relatively rapid volumetric reduction due to the accelerated drainage of water in the first two months following placement. A novel technique, which has been developed specifically for this purpose, relates to the in situ vacuum consolidation using horizontal drains. A first test program together with the University of Gent was executed in 1997 and 1998 (Van Mieghem et al., 1998), including a series of both small and large scale tests on the Left Bank of the River Scheldt.
