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Physico-chemical effects on clay due to electromigration using stainless steel electrodes

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Abstract

The physico-chemical changes in clay soils due to the application of electrokinetics are difficult to predict with accuracy because of the very wide range of parameters interacting. The effects of the application of an electrical gradient across controlled specimens of a pure form of kaolinite using stainless steel electrodes and a deionised water feed to the electrodes, to mimic electrokinetic stabilisation without the stabiliser added, are reported. The specimens in which electrical and chemical changes were induced over different time periods (3, 7, 14 and 28 days) were subsequently tested for Atterberg limits, undrained shear strength, water content, pH, conductivity, Fe concentration and zeta potential. Changes in strength and plasticity indices were attributed to electrolysis, electro-osmosis, electrode degradation, clay mineral dissolution, ion movement due to electromigration, cation exchange reactions and precipitation of reaction products.

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Acknowledgements

This research project was funded jointly by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and University of Birmingham via a Post-Graduate Teaching Assistant studentship, this support being gratefully acknowledged. The research and technical staff of the School of Civil Engineering are thanked for their assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK

    C. Liaki, C. D. F. Rogers & D. I. Boardman

Authors
  1. C. Liaki
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  2. C. D. F. Rogers
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  3. D. I. Boardman
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Correspondence to C. D. F. Rogers.

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Liaki, C., Rogers, C.D.F. & Boardman, D.I. Physico-chemical effects on clay due to electromigration using stainless steel electrodes. J Appl Electrochem 40, 1225–1237 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-010-0096-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-010-0096-8

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