Proceedings of Indian Geotechnical Conference

December 15-17,2011, Kochi (Paper No.H-211)

STRENGTHENING SILTY SOIL USING ELECTROKINETIC GROUTING

L. S. Thakur, Lecturer, App. Mech. Dept., Fac. of Tech. & Engg., M.S.U., Vadodara - 1, lalitsthakur@yahoo.com
T. K. Shah, P.G. Student, App. Mech. Dept., Fac. of Tech. & Engg., M.S.U., Vadodara - 1, tapatishah@yahoo.com.
D. L. Shah, Professor, App. Mech. Dept., Fac. of Tech. & Engg., M.S.U., Vadodara - 1, dr_dlshah@yahoo.com
D. A. Vasavada, Associate Professor, Textile Engg. Dept., Fac. of Tech. & Engg., M. S. U, Vadodara – 1.

ABSTRACT: Electrokinetics is a phenomenon associated with the application of a direct electrical field to soil, causing
flow of water or solution through the pores of soils. Electrokinetics for that very reason has shown a great potential for
remediating soil with low shear strength and also strengthening of deep seated soil layers under existing structures to carry
higher loads. The purpose of this research is to explore the improvement in strength of soft soils by chemical grouting
utilizing the voltage applied by DC waves since traditional permeation grouting in silty soils would require very high
pumping capacity making it cost prohibitive and sometimes hydro fracturing. An electrokinetic permeation technique for
injection of sodium silicate based grouting material into soil is introduced. The grout used for the study is a two component
sodium silicate based grout system using sodium silicate along with calcium chloride. The present research concentrated
the study on various factors such as soil composition, voltage gradient, periodic supply and grout concentration.

INTRODUCTION
Site remediation technologies are generally grouped under
containment technologies i.e. capping or encapsulation, ex
situ remediation and in situ remediation which are based on
physico-chemical, biological and/or thermal approaches.
The choice of the remediation technology for strength
improvement is not only governed by direct cost, but also
the long term maintenance cost, time required for
completion and the cost benefits viz a viz other methods.
The conventional methods in some cases, do not stand up
suitable due to either requirement of significant excavation
or soil disturbance caused or their inefficiency in case of
fine grained soils. Thus, arises a need for new methods to
stabilize soft fine grained soils with low hydraulic
conductivities while minimizing ground movements.
Electrokinetic stabilisation can be considered a 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.
Electrokinetic grouting is a ground improvement method in
which stabilising agents are introduced 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. The electric field causes flow of water or
solution through the pores of soils of low permeability and
for a variety of reasons increases the apparent permeability
of soil by a factor of two or so as compared to flow under
pressure, thereby reducing the time required to introduce a
grout in soil.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Materials
Experiments were carried out on five different types of
soils. Table 1 shows the source of procurement and the
properties of the different soils used. Sodium silicate and
calcium chloride obtained from Fisher Scientific
(Qualigens), India was used as received. Distilled water
was used for the preparation of all solution and in the
electrokinetic cell.
Experimental Setup
Three laboratory scale electrokinetic cell of different sizes
(Table 2) were fabricated using a 8 mm thick acrylic sheet.
All the electrokinetic cells were compartmentalized into
five chambers using perforated perspex sheet lined with
Whatmann No. 42 filter papers to allow uniform flow of
grout. For electrokinetic grouting experiments, soil mass
was compacted in the laboratory electrokinetic cell by hand
compaction at 88% of Maximum Dry Density (MDD)
keeping the moisture content on wet side of Optimum
Moisture Content (OMC). A 10 mm diameter and 300 mm
long carbon electrode was placed in each of the
compartments and connected to the DC converter unit.
The fill height of the electrokinetic cell for all experiments
was maintained at 15 cm. The grout has been initially
designed for the required used to match to requirement of
electrokinetics for gel time. Sodium silicate solution [25%
Volume by Volume (v/v)] was used at the cathode with 2%
Weight by Volume (w/v) calcium chloride solution being
used at the anode in all the experiments. Duration of all
tests was 10 days and applied voltage was varied as per the
dimensions of the electrokinetic cell (Table 2). Undisturbed
samples were collected from near anode, at mid section and
near cathode for both UCS test and permeability test

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L. S. Thakur, T. K. Shah, D. L. Shah & A. R. Umatt
(IS: 2720). The sodium content was evaluated using standard EDS method.

Table 1 Properties of Various Soil

Black Sandy Yellow Clayey
Property Sand Yellow Soil Black Cotton Soil
Silt Soil
Place of Procurement Hazira
Bhadarpur Vadodara Netrang Sevasi
Code Name Soil 1
Soil 2 Soil 3 Soil 4 Soil 5
M.D.D (gm/cc) - - 1.76 1.65 1.72
O.M.C (%) - - 13.8 19.2 17.3
IS Classification SW
SW ML CH CL
U.C.S (kg/cm2) - - 0.675 3.509 2.436
Coefficient of Permeability (cm/s) 1.979E - 02
4.67E - 03 1.38E - 06 5.326E - 06 6.125E - 06
Sodium (mg/kg) 53.9
32.9 41.3 53.2 42
Figure 2 and 3 show the comparative plots of permeability
The effect of soil composition (Soil 1 to Soil 5) was for Soil 1 and Soil 2 and for Soil 3, Soil 4 and Soil 5
studied on Model 3. Four experiments were conducted by respectively. Figure 3 shows the maximum decrease in the
varying the voltage gradient as 6.25 (OVG 1), 12.5 (OVG permeability was observed in Soil 1 which decreased by
2), 25 (OVG 3), 31.25 (OVG 4), and 37.5 (OVG 5) V/cm. 85.95% where as it decreased by 64.95% incase of Soil 2.
The effect of voltage gradient was studied on Model 2. In The decrease observed in Soil 3 was 62.15% and Soil 4 was
order to study the effect of periodic supply, DC supply was 39.72% (Fig. 4). The minimum comparative decrease of
applied in combination of one day on-one day off (OPS 34.69% in permeability was noted in Soil 5. Table 3 shows
1/1); continuous (OPS ON.); one day on-two day off the values of the comparison of sodium content for, pre and
(OPS1/2); and two day on-one day off (OPS 2/1). Three post electrokinetic grouting.
different sodium silicate concentrations 20% v/v (OGC 1),
25% v/v (OGC 2) and 30% v/v (OGC 3) were used at the 1.0E-02 Before Electrokinetic Grouting
cathode to treat the soil. The effect of periodic supply and
Permeability, k,

After Electrokinetic Grouting

Coefficient of

8.0E-03
grout concentration were studied on Model 1.
cm/sec

6.0E-03

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 4.0E-03

2.0E-03
Effect of Soil Composition 0.0E+00
Figure 1 shows the comparative plots of UCS for all the OSC1 OSC2
soils, pre and post treatment. The maximum increase in the
UCS was observed in case of Soil 1 showing as increase Fig. 2 Comparison of coefficient of permeability - Effect
from 0.11 kg/cm2 to 0.45 kg/cm2 (309.09%). The minimum of soil composition
change in UCS was observed in Soil 5, with a marginal
increase from 0.662 kg/cm2 to 0.754 kg/cm2 (13.9%). 7.2E-06 Before Electrokinetic Grouting
6.4E-06 After Electrokinetic Grouting
Permea bility, k, cm/sec

Table 2 Size of Electrokinetic cell 5.6E-06

Dimension (cm3)
Coefficient of

Electrokinetic Voltage (V) 4.8E-06

cell No. 4.0E-06
Model 1 8.3 x 19.8 x 10.2 5.0 3.2E-06
Model 2 18.2 x 19.5 x 15.5 10.9 2.4E-06
Model 3 41 x 22 x 30 24.6 1.6E-06
8.0E-07
6.0 0.0E+00
Before Electrokinetic Grouting
UCS (kg/ cm 2 )

5.0 After Electrokinetic Grouting OSC3 OSC4 OSC5

4.0
3.0 Fig. 3 Comparison of coefficient of permeability - Effect
2.0
of soil composition
1.0
The net increase in UCS observed in case of coarser soil
0.0
(Soil 1 and Soil 2) is much greater than that observed in
OSC1 OSC2 OSC3 OSC4 OSC5 case of fine grained clayey soil (Soil 3 to Soil 5) which may
be due to stronger gelation of reactants leading to the better
Fig. 1 Comparison of UCS - Effect of soil composition
bonding of the soil particles with the gel of the grout. Both
these observations may be attributed to the nature of the

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soil. Electrokinetic grouting results from the reaction
between the reactants from the anode and the cathode
which will flow faster towards each other in coarse soil as
compared to fine grained clayey soil there by increasing the
rate of reaction which is directly reflected in the sodium
content.
Effect of Voltage Gradient
Figure 4 and 5 show the comparison of UCS and
permeability for Soil 3, pre and post electrokinetic grouting.
The maximum UCS was observed in OVG 5 (1.874
kg/cm2) and minimum UCS was observed in OVG 1 (0.854
kg/cm2). It is clearly evident that with increase in voltage
gradient, there is an increase in the UCS of the soil. The
maximum decrease in permeability was observed in OVG 5
(4.5E-07 cm/sec) and minimum was observed in OVG 1
(7.62E-07 cm/sec). Table 3 shows the values of the
comparison of sodium content for, pre and post
Strengthening Silty Soil using Electrokinetic Grouting
The increase in voltage gradient in turn may cause rapid
movement of ions towards the opposite ends resulting in
higher rate of reaction.
Effect of Periodic Supply
Figure 6 and 7 shows the comparison of UCS and
permeability for Soil 3, pre and post electrokinetic grouting.
The UCS varied from 0.56 kg/cm2 to 0.79 kg/cm2 in the
four experiments. The maximum UCS was observed in
OPS 1/2 and minimum was noted in OPS 1/1. Figure 7
shows that the minimum decrease in permeability was
observed in OPS 1/2 from 9.33E-07 cm/sec to 6.56E-07
cm/sec and maximum decrease was observed in OPS ON.
Table 3 shows the values of the comparison of sodium
content for, pre and post electrokinetic grouting.
2.0E-06 Before Electrokinetic Grouting

Permeability, k, cm/sec
Afte Electrokinetic Grouting
electrokinetic grouting. 1.6E-06

Coefficient of
1.2E-06
Table 3 Data of Sodium Content
8.0E-07
Phase Experiment Sodium Content mg/kg
Designation Before After 4.0E-07
Experiment Experiment
0.0E+00
Soil OSC 1 53.9 5215
Composition OSC 2 32.9 4830 OVG1 OVG2 OVG3 OVG4 OVG5
OSC 3 41.3 4515 Fig. 5 Comparison of coefficient of permeability - Effect
OSC 4 53.2 2695 of voltage gradient
OSC 5 42 735
Voltage OVG 1 41.3 1925
Gradient OVG 2 41.3 2240 1.000 Before Electrokinetic Grouting
UCS ( kg/ cm 2 )

OVG 3 41.3 2415 0.800 After Electrokinetic Grouting

OVG 4 41.3 3115
OVG 5 41.3 3360 0.600
Periodic OPS 1/1 41.3 1960 0.400
Supply OPS ON 41.3 1715
OPS 2/1 41.3 2100 0.200
OPS 1/2 41.3 1925
0.000
Grout OGC1 41.3 1365
Concentration OGC 2 41.3 1715 OPS 1/1 OPS ON OPS 2/1 OPS 1/2
OGC 3 41.3 2380
Fig. 6 Comparison of UCS - Effect of periodic supply

2.5 Before Electrokinetic Grouting 2.000E-06 Before Electrokinetic Grouting

UCS (kg/ cm 2 )

Permeability, k, cm/sec

2.0 After Electrokinetic Grouting 1.600E-06 After Electrokinetic Grouting

Coefficient of

1.5 1.200E-06
1.0 8.000E-07
0.5 4.000E-07
0.0 0.000E+00
OPS 1/1 OPS ON OPS 2/1 OPS 1/2
OVG1 OVG2 OVG3 OVG4 OVG5

Fig. 4 Comparison of UCS – Effect of voltage gradient
Increase in voltage gradient, shows apparent increase in
efficiency of grouting validated by corresponding increase
in UCS strength and decrease in the permeability value.
Fig. 7 Comparison of coefficient permeability - Effect of
periodic supply
Effect of periodic supply for OPS 1/1 does not show any
prominent variation in efficiency of grouting as opposed to

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L. S. Thakur, T. K. Shah, D. L. Shah & A. R. Umatt
grouting under continuous supply condition. The other two
experiments however showed reduced grouting, visible
from decreased percentage of improvement.
Effect of Grout Concentration
Figure 8 and 9 shows the comparison of UCS and
permeability for effect of grout concentration for Soil 3, pre
and post electrokinetic grouting. The maximum UCS (1.114
kg/cm2) was noted when 30% v/v sodium silicate solution
(OGC 3) was added at the cathode which was also reflected
in the maximum decrease in permeability of 79.3% (3.26E-
07 cm/sec) whereas the minimum increase of 6.509 kg/cm2
in UCS was noted in case of OGC 1 with the minimum
decrease in permeability of 9.21E-07 cm/sec (41.7%) when
20 % sodium silicate solution was added at the cathode
compartment. Table 3 shows the values of the comparison
of sodium content for, pre and post electrokinetic grouting.
1.5
Before Electrokinetic Grouting
UCS (kg/ cm 2 )
After Electrokinetic Grouting
1.0
0.5
0.0
OGC1 OGC2
Fig. 8 Comparison of UCS – Effect of grout concentration
2.0E-06 Before Electrokinetic Grouting
Permea bility, k,
Coefficient of
1.6E-06 After Electrokinetic Grouting
cm/sec
1.2E-06
8.0E-07
4.0E-07
0.0E+00
OGC1 OGC2
Fig. 9 Comparison of coefficient of permeability – Effect
of grout concentration
As the concentration of sodium silicate is increased in the
cathode compartment its viscosity increases. Although this
increase in viscosity reduces the flow rate of the solution, it
in turn increases the quantity of sodium silicate available
for reaction with calcium chloride thereby increasing the
UCS due to the gelation of calcium silicate as is observed.
CONCLUSIONS
All the different soils treated showed a noticeable
percentage improvement with the coarser black sandy silt
showing a very large increase in strength as well as
appreciable decrease in permeability, the reason being the
availability of larger pore spaces as well as interconnected
void spaces leading to less resistance being offered to water
and ionic movement. The efficiency of the method for the
voltage gradient under study is much lower in clayey soils.
This lower efficiency can be attributed to a higher
resistance offered to ions to move in clayey soils due to
presence of the double layer.
On increasing the value of voltage gradient, the applied
voltage helps in overcoming resistance offered in the soil
during the initial phase and subsequently after gellation of
grout has occurred. The increase consequently helps the
flow of grout to a greater distance thereby showing greater
efficiency in grout, evident from the increase in UCS value
and decrease in permeability value. The results obtained in
the study undertaken to understand the effect of periodic
supply, in order to reduce carbon footprints were
inconclusive for the options studied.
The treated soil samples showed considerable amount of
increase in shear strength and decrease in the permeability
with concentration of grout.
OGC3
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