CONSTRUCTION OF AN INNOVATIVE APPARATUS TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ELECTRO-OSMTIC TECHNIQUE OF DEWATERING OF EXPANSIVE SOIL
Abstract
The dewatering of expansive soils, which exhibit significant volume changes in
response to moisture variations, is a critical challenge in geotechnical engineering.
Traditional dewatering methods often prove inadequate for such soils, leading to
stability issues in construction projects. This research presents the design and
construction of an innovative apparatus aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the
electro-osmotic technique for dewatering expansive soils. The electro-osmotic
method utilizes a low-voltage electric field to induce the movement of pore water,
facilitating soil stabilization without mechanical disturbance. The apparatus is
designed to simulate field conditions, allowing controlled application of electrical
current to expansive soil samples while monitoring water removal, soil strength,
and volume change. Key features include adjustable electrode configurations, realtime measurement of electrical potential, current, and moisture content, as well as
the capability to analyze soil properties post-treatment. Laboratory testing is
conducted on highly plastic expansive clay, with varying moisture content and
applied voltages, to assess the technique’s efficiency under different scenarios.
Results from preliminary experiments demonstrate the potential of the electroosmotic method to effectively reduce the moisture content in expansive soils,
improving their mechanical behavior
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