Laboratory investigation on Physico-chemical Changes in Kaolinite during Electro-Kinetic Treatment Subjected to Enhancement Solutions

Abstract

Electro-kinetic (EK) treatment is an emerging technique, which uses low intensity direct electric current or a low electric potential difference, to improve the engineering properties of subsurface soils while having minimum disturbance to the surface. This study aims to investigate the effects of EK treatment on conductance phenomena and some physico-chemical changes of kaolinite soil at different intervals under total applied voltage of 10V subjected to specific types of anode enhancement solutions under the coupled chemical, hydraulic and electrical (CHE) gradient. The cumulative electro-osmotic flow and electric current through the sample was measured for period of 15 treatment days. Subsequently the specimens were tested for moisture content, pH and undrained shear strength variations over different time periods (3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days) showing very good correlations between them.