Determining soil strength of unconsolidated deposits using surface waves; exploring possibilities for testing consolidation of tailings ponds

P.P. Kruiver, R.P. Noorlandt, R.S. Westerhoff, M.H.P. Kleuskens and R.M. Hoogendoorn present a surface wave technique which could be useful in assessing consolidation of the tailings ponds of oil-sands, particularly in Canada where this is problematic. Three case studies illustrate the method’s application on soft, unconsolidated sediments on water and on land.