Assessment of Electro-Osmotic Stabilization of Expansive Soils

ZOMORODIAN, SEYED MOHAMMAD ALI; KHERAD, KHALIL

doi:10.22059/ijswr.2013.50060

Assessment of Electro-Osmotic Stabilization of Expansive Soils

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Associate Professor, Water Eng. Dept., University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran

² Senior Geotechnical Eng. Expert, Civil Eng. Dept., Islamic Azad University, Estahban Branch

10.22059/ijswr.2013.50060

Abstract

Among the most common types of problematic soils, are probably the expansive ones. One of the modern methods of strengthening and improving the soil in place is the use of electro-osmotic improving treatment. This paper presents the design of an apparatus suitable for electro-osmotic treatment. A soil sample of a high expansive potential was compacted and the effect of electro-osmotic treatment under different voltages of 12, 24 and 48 of the Direct Current (DC) and improvement periods of 1, 2, 7 and 28 days studied. The results revealed that the electro-osmotic treatment intensively reduced the expansive potential of soil (51-85%) around the anode pole. The chemical test results show that PH of the soil around the anode was reduced by 27-46%. Also, it was revealed that the electrochemical change, due to electro-osmotic treatment alters the soil properties and increases compression strength of the soil up to eight times the initial one. The increase in the compressive strength of the irrigation channels bed through electro-osmotic treatment enhanced the channels' required safety as well as stability.

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