Dehydrating subsurface clayey soils using plastic electrodes: a simple, fast, and yet reliable technique

Abstract

The electrokinetic process seems to be interesting to the earthwork portion on the construction of buildings, and transportation projects since this simple, fast, yet reliable technique could expedite dehydrating of soil and reduce delays in the construction schedule. This paper examined the technical feasibility and a brief cost analysis of using plastic electrodes for electrokinetically dehydrating clayey soils with high moisture content were also carried out. The results from the experimental program carried out on a marine clayey soil with copper and plastic electrodes showed a great deal of soil improvement since positive changes in undrained shear strength occur due to the free water dehydration process induced by electroosmosis and to the adsorbed water dehydration process induced by electromigration. It was also observed that values of the undrained shear strength remained stable at the final stages of the electrokinetic process indicating a permanent soil improvement. Finally, it was noticed that dehydrating could be achieved at lower costs by employing plastic electrodes.