coaltar
Civil/Environmental
- Aug 31, 2007
- 2
Penetrometer test for surface hardness is not enough for this complicated setting! What tests are used for cohesive strength/ shearing resistance for soils, concrete, or asphalt? Test for abrasion-resistance? What are the standards to resist abrasive wear in waterways?
My very unusual application:
Coal tar was lost to river during 100 years of gas works operations & covers over 5 acres of river bottom. Consistency is similar to a mix of perhaps 1:1 to 3:1 of roofing cement:sand/gravel. It is weathered with a hardened skin but tests show its high in BTEX, napthalenes, & PAHs (>20,000 ppm). Evaluators claim its hardened surface limits exposure to fish, people, & biota. I'm looking for tests & standards (prefer in-situ) to demonstrate materials' integrity (or failure) to withstand nature's forces: raging river carrying trees, foot traffic (wading fisherman), small boats grounding on it, etc. Be inventive & think outside the box.
My very unusual application:
Coal tar was lost to river during 100 years of gas works operations & covers over 5 acres of river bottom. Consistency is similar to a mix of perhaps 1:1 to 3:1 of roofing cement:sand/gravel. It is weathered with a hardened skin but tests show its high in BTEX, napthalenes, & PAHs (>20,000 ppm). Evaluators claim its hardened surface limits exposure to fish, people, & biota. I'm looking for tests & standards (prefer in-situ) to demonstrate materials' integrity (or failure) to withstand nature's forces: raging river carrying trees, foot traffic (wading fisherman), small boats grounding on it, etc. Be inventive & think outside the box.
