Modelling the settling of suspended sediments for concentrations close to the gelling concentration

This paper deals with the sedimentation of highly concentrated sediment suspensions (cohesive as well as non-cohesive) and the beginning of the consolidation of cohesive sediments. Based on a comparison of existing empirical formulas and experimental data, the particle Reynolds number was shown to be of importance for the behaviour of particularly non-cohesive sediments. In addition it plays a role in determining whether one or two interfaces develop during the sedimentation phase. In the case of cohesive sediments, the estimation of the gelling concentration, although difficult, seems to be fundamental. Some suggestions on the estimation of the permeability coefficient and total settling function are then given in order to improve the modelling of the sedimentation and consolidation behaviour for concentrations close to the gelling concentration.