Drying of aqueous suspensions containing aggregated particle networks is important in a wide variety of solid/liquid unit operations where, in addition to optimizing the drying rate, there is a need for dimensional control of the dried product. During drying, the bed consolidates and then dehydrates. The degree of consolidation is sensitive to the strength of particle attractions altered by solution conditions such as pH, ionic strength, and particle size. These interaction forces are characterized in terms of an independently measurable quantity, the compressive yield stress P-y, and link P-y to the compressive capillary forces to which the suspension is subjected during drying. Using P-y and a two-phase fluid model for drying, a dimensionless parameter (Q) over bar is identified to provide a guide for conditions where interparticle forces and mass-transfer limitations it-ill dominate drying behavior. This model yields a quantitative measure of the shape changes that can be expected upon drying. Model predictions are tested using drying experiments on 0.65 mum alumina particles in aqueous suspensions at different pit and salt concentrations.