Method for compacting and consolidating underwater sludge and soil bed

摘要

The underwater compacting system includes the construction of trenches (8) below the bed surface (4) by means of a floating pontoon (2) fitted with vertical rigid hollow section cutting chutes (5) pointed at their leading edges. When the pontoon is towed forward, the trenches (8) are formed in the sludge and silt bed. As the trenches are formed, they are filled through the chutes (5) with sand or gravel, together with a flexible drainage pipe (7). After placing watertight sheeting on the bed surface (4), water is extracted by suction pumps reducing the under-bed pressure to provide compaction.