The monitoring and cementation behavior of electrokinetic stabilisation technique on Batu Pahat marine clay

Abstract

This paper outlines the monitoring and soil fabric results from an experimental study of electrokinetic stabilisation (EKS) technique. The monitoring results were important in assessing the efficiency of the technique towards Batu Pahat marine clay. Two reactors were set up; 1.0 M of calcium chloride (CaCl2) and sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) as the electrolyte and stainless steel plates as the electrodes. EKS technique was continued for 21 days with a constant voltage gradient (50 V/m). This technique was performed in two phases where the alteration of EKS was the combination of stabilizers used. The combinations of stabilizers in phase 1 and 2 were CaCl2 - distilled water (DW) and CaCl2 - Na2SiO3, respectively. The technique was monitored using electric current, total inflow and outflow of electrolytes and pH of electrolytes. It showed fluctuated profiles of electric current for both phases, attributed by the introduction of calcium ions from the anode compartment. The inflow and outflow of electrolytes results showed that electromigration and electroosmosis occurred during EKS and it indicated the movement of anion and cation to the opposite direction. The pH of electrolytes kept constant value and balanced by electrolysis process at the cathode. Image of soil fabric for untreated and treated clay were presented where most images shows a flaky particles. The observation of those images indirectly explained the effect of cementation behavior of treated clay.