Electroosmotic Method in Stabilizing Kaolinite Soil

• Main Authors: Napiah, Madzlan, Kamaruddin, Ibrahim, Syed Osman, Syed Baharom
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: TE Highway engineering. Roads and pavements
• Online Access: http://eprints.utp.edu.my/5842/1/ACE_Proc-2008%28Electroosmotic%29.pdf; http://eprints.utp.edu.my/5842/
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Petronas

This paper describes the study of electroosmotic effect on local kaolinite soil. The objective is to find out the best possible arrangement of strengthening and stabilizing koalinite soil using the electroosmotic process. The study involves the usage of electrical current and electrodes in electroosmotic application associated with soil consolidation and stabilization. A small scale electroosmotic tests on kaolinite soil were conducted using specially designed and fabricated electroosmotic cells. The effects of variations in surcharges, voltages and electrode types on the characteristics of soil, such as settlement, strength and moisture content were then compared. The results of the electroosmotic tests suggest that there were positive effects on the kaolinite soil samples. Results obtained show that the electroosmotic method increased the strength of soil to up to over 250 percent. Likewise, other soil characteristics also show significant improvements after conducting the tests.