%0 Research Notes
%T Development of a large consolidometer apparatus for testing peat and other highly organic soils
%A O'Kelly, Brendan C.
%D 2009
%J Suo - Mires and peat
%V 60
%N 1-2
%U http://suo.fi/article/9865
%X Bogs are dynamic eco-hydrological systems. Relatively small and localised increases in effective stress, either due to an applied load or a reduction in the natural phreatic level, can cause significant long-term settlements, and hence reductions in the hydraulic conductivity, that can have widespread impacts on the bog morphology and hydrology. This paper presents the development of a large consolidometer apparatus, which incorporates a lubricated, floating-ring confining cell, in order to accurately measure both the settlement response and hydraulic characteristics of organic soils under increasing effective stress. Maintained-load compression tests are carried out on first-class quality, undisturbed test-specimens (152 mm in diameter and up to 300 mm in length; i.e. mini-structural scale), along with intermittent and direct measurement of the hydraulic characteristics under constant-head low Reynolds Number flow conditions. Proving tests were conducted using floating- and fixed-ring setups in the new consolidometer and these test data are evaluated against the results of conventional oedometer tests.