Gamma-ray monitoring of sediment consolidation tests

A gamma-ray transmission method is discussed for measuring the water content of marine sediment samples during consolidation testing. This method permits obtaining consolidation curves for sediment cores while still in the core liner, thereby eliminating several sources of sample disturbance. A narrow beam of gamma-rays is passed through the sample to a detector and counting equipment. The attenuation of this beam is a function of the sample density and hence water content or void-ratio. Equations are developed for calculating water content from gamma-counts. The results of experiments are presented confirming the validity of these equations. © 1973