Effect of Electrokinetic Treatment on the Geotechnical Properties of Organic Soils
摘要
Electrokinetic treatment was investigated as a method to improve the engineering properties of problematic organic soils by combining CaCl₂ and zeolite amendments. Laboratory experiments were carried out using (CaCl₂) electrolyte at two concentrations and different zeolite additives to optimize soil stabilization. Laboratory tests applied a constant potential gradient. The treatment performance was evaluated by electric current and cumulative outflow, physical properties, compressibility, creep, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and element composition by EDX analysis. Electrokinetic treatment alone reduced compressibility and void ratio but increased water content due to the presence of organic matter, yielding a low UCS and persistent creep behavior, indicating limited overall improvement. The addition of CaCl₂ reduced organic matter, increased the UCS, and decreased the secondary compression coefficient (Cα). Further improvement was observed when zeolite was incorporated into the electrokinetic system. The combined application of electrokinetic treatment with CaCl₂ and zeolite delivered the lowest void ratio, the highest UCS, the minimal Cα, and organic matter content. These results suggest that integrating electrokinetic with CaCl₂ and zeolite effectively improves the structure of organic soil, short-term strength, and long-term deformation behavior.