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Electrokinetic Stabilisation of Soft Clay Soils Researcher: Saiful Azhar Ahmad Tajudin Supervisor: Professor CDF Rogers, Dr I.

Jefferson and Dr DI Boardman Introduction and Problem Statement The choice of ground improvement techniques over soft soils is not only governed by direct costs, but also the long term maintenance costs, duration of completion and cost benefits. Therefore, conventional methods widely used to avoid or minimize this problem include preloading the soft soil layer with surcharge and installing vertical drains to accelerate consolidation. In some cases, these methods are not suitable to stabilise soil in existing structure which do not require significant excavation or soil disturbance. Therefore, new methods are needed to stabilise soft soils with low hydraulic conductivities while minimising ground movements. There are few options for stabilisation of fine grained under this circumstance such as soil freezing, hydrofracture grouting, and electroosmotic consolidation. All these methods have been shown to result in measurable ground movements that are potentially damaging to adjacent and overlying structures. The electrokinetic stabilisation method has been chosen as potentially the best method to remedy those deficiencies. It has been reported by many researchers that the electrokinetic stabilisation technique can be less expensive than other remedial technique and has the added advantage of not disturbing site activities. Electrokinetic stabilisation can be considered very new technique, technically innovative, and more cost effective than conventional method of soil stabilisation using mix-in-place processes but still not widely implemented on site. Even though there is evidence from previous studies in laboratory and case study that electrokinetic stabilisation has shown promising results for improving the strength of soft soils, it has not convinced enough engineers to use it more as an alternative method. Moreover, the complexity of electrochemical processes involved and long term issue caused by corrosion of electrode has clearly become an obstacle for implementation of this method in the fields. Hopefully, by doing in depth study of electrokinetic stabilisation, this research will play a very important role in a future in order to promote a new and effective technique to improve problematic soils. Electrokinetic Stabilisation Electrokinetic stabilisation is a ground improvement method in which stabilising agents are induced into soil under direct current. The movement of stabilising agents into soil masses is governed by the principles of electrokinetics, while the mechanisms of stabilization can be explained by the principles of chemical stabilisation. When cations are used as stabilising agents, ions migrate into soils through processes of electromigration and electroosmosis. These ions improve the soil strength by three mechanisms, namely cation exchange, mineralization and precipitation of species in the pore fluid. Other effects that are caused by the technique include water movement due to electro-osmosis, electrolysis, i.e. oxidation and reduction at the anode and cathode respectively, and soil modification and stabilization. When a direct current is applied to a soil liquid medium, water in the immediate vicinity of the electrodes is electrolysed. Oxidation occurs at the anode, generating an acid front, while reduction takes place at the cathode, producing an alkaline front. These reaction cause the pH to decrease at the anode and increase at the cathode. The development of this pH gradient (known as acid/base profile) and its effects on the species transport through soil porous medium have been investigated in detail and well documented by many researchers.

Aim and Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of electrokinetic as an effective method to strengthen soft clay soils. In order to achieve this goal, following objectives are devised:

1. To develop a new approach and procedures using electrokinetic stabilisation technique for soft clay soils. 2. To strengthen the soft clay soils by injection of appropriate chemical stabilisers under electric field. 3. To examine the optimisation of chemical stabiliser, current or voltage to strengthen the soft clay soils. 4. To investigate various electrochemical effects such as electroosmosis, electromigration and electro-cementation on physical, physico-chemical and mechanical behaviours of soft clay soils. Laboratory Programme Experimental programme will be conducted to access the efficiency of electrokinetic stabilisation of soft clay soils. The original physical and chemical properties of clay soil will be investigated first through laboratory programme. Then, laboratory tests will be carried out using the electrokinetic test methods developed at the University of Birmingham. The effect electrokinetic stabilisation on physical properties, chemical and mineralogical composition of soft clay soils will be investigated for the specimen before and after treatment. Electrokinetic Stabilisation Testing Model has been designed and manufactured for this study as shown in Figure 1. The model was originally designed by Liaki (2006) but several modification and improvements will be made to achieve objectives of this study.

Figure 1: Electrokinetic Stabilisation Testing Model (Liaki, 2006)

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