Hydraulic conductivity of solidified residue mixtures used as a hydraulic barrier

The feasibility of using a solidified product of steel process residue in construction of a barrier system was investigated in the laboratory and in-situ. A solidified product of the dewatered sludge residue, filtered cake, which exhibited high strength and low hydraulic conductivity was considered as a barrier cap for an existing lagoon. Strength of the material did not correlate well with hydraulic conductivity. However the high strength appeared to increase resistance to freeze/thaw effects, thus demonstrating resistance to deterioration of the desired low permeability. Compositional variations influenced the strength as well as the measured hydraulic conductivity.