The paper presents results of investigations carried out on post-flotation sludges produced by the Polish coal mining industry and deposited in sedimentation ponds. The material tested came from three plants recovering black coal from coal mining wastes deposited on tips and from the washing plant of one coal mine. The investigations were aimed at determining the usability of these materials for sealing engineering'structures', e.g. as sealing layers under industrial waste dumping grounds or sedimentation ponds, sealing elements of hydraulic embankments or as admixtures to reduce the permeability of coarse-grained soils to be used for hydraulic embankment construction. Investigations comprised geotechnical properties, both physical and mechanical, i.e. grading, Atterberg limits, compaction parameters, moisture content, permeability, shearing strength and compressibility. The combustible matter content was also determined. Results obtained were compared to relevant specification values. Permeability of mixtures of coarse-grained colliery spoils with sludges was also determined for various proportions of sludge admixtures. The results of the investigations revealed that the sludges from coal mining industry are good material for reducing permeability of coarse-grained soils and for many kinds of sealing element within Civil Engineering structures.
展开▼
