Bottom Sediments from a Dam Reservoir as a Core in Embankments—Filtration and Stability: A Case Study

Abstract

A possibility of using bottom sediments from dam reservoirs in earth structures was considered. Sediments from the Rzeszow reservoir (Poland) were used as research material, which, according to geotechnical standards, were classified as low permeable silt with high organic content. As fine, cohesive soil with a low coefficient of permeability, the sediments can be used in sealing elements of hydraulic engineering embankments. In order to verify the suitability of the sediments, stability and filtration calculations were carried out for embankments with a sealing in the form of a core made of the sediments. It was stated that by using a core made of sediments, the volume of seepage on the downstream side during continuous or variable backwater was significantly lower in relation to an embankment without a core, and the phreatic line did not extend to the downstream slope. It is estimated that, in the case of a planned dredging in Rzeszow Reservoir, the amount of dredged sediment would exceed 1.5 million m3, and therefore, the possibility of their economic use is essential. The search for materials that could replace natural soil in earthen structures is an important issue from both the ecological and economic points of view.

Methods of management of bottom sediments from selected water reservoirs – a literature review

“…In addition to the agricultural use of bottom sediments, there are also papers on the use of reservoir sediments for land reclamation. The study by Bartoszek et al (2015) confirms that sediments that are relatively poor in nutrients and character- -fraction content: sand 1-2%, silt 86-92%, clay 6-13% -organic matter 3.33% -maximum dry density 1.4 g cm -3 -optimum moisture content 27% -cohesion 42.7 kPa (silt) -bottom sediments can be used for sealing elements in hydraulic engineering embankments Koś et al (2021) ised by increased trace metal concentrations are not suitable for agricultural use. However, they may be a valuable resource for use in non-agricultural land reclamation (Bartoszek et al, 2015).…”

“…The literature items consulted offer numerous examples of using reservoir sediments in different sectors of our economy: agriculture, reclamation, construction and energy (Fonseca et al, 1998;Canet et al, 2003;Baran et al, 2011;Koś & Zawisza, 2012;Walter et al, 2012;Bartoszek et al, 2015;Haque et al, 2016;Tarnawski et al, 2017;Wyrwicka et al, 2019;Dróżdż et al, 2020b;Bounouara et al, 2020;Koś et al, 2021) (Table 1).…”

“…This material was also used to improve soils, without negatively changing the growth conditions of trees and shrubs (Gałka, 2010). However, other authors have indicated that sediments which meet the geotechnical criteria can be used to form sealing screens at municipal landfills (Koś & Zawisza, 2012), to seal elements of hydrotechnical embankments (Koś et al, 2021) and constitute a valuable source of material necessary in civil engineering, e.g., for road construction (Maj & Koszelnik, 2016). Bounouara et al (2020) confirmed that bentonite-treated sediments can be used as passive clay barriers in hazardous waste landfills (Bounouara et al, 2020).…”

“…Based on an analysis of the suitability of bottom sediments from the Rzeszów reservoir in Poland for civil engineering purposes, it was concluded that this can be used as sealing material in hydrotechnical embankments. Geotechnical testing showed that these sediments would meet most of the criteria required for their use in sealing layers (Koś et al, 2021).…”

Experimental Study on the Effect of Fulvic Acid in Waste Slurry on Flocculation and Zeta Potential

“…Regular dredging of urban rivers produces a large amount of waste slurry. There is an urgent need to rapidly dewater the waste slurry to facilitate subsequent product resource utilization, such as brick [1,2], ceramsite [3,4], embankment material [5,6] and foamed concrete [7]. In this way, the sustainable recycling process of waste slurry production, treatment and reuse is realized.…”