Abstract

The effect of electrode configuration on electrokinetic strengthening of soft clays was assessed using a circular electrokinetic experimental setup with multiple electrode rods instead of a conventional rectangular setup with two plate electrodes. The experiments were carried out in three configurations where CaCl₂ was used as a stabilizing agent in all, but the position of the anode was changed. In the first experiment the anode was in the central compartment, and in the second and third it was in the peripheral compartment, with the third experiment also having Ca(OH)₂ added to the soil along with CaCl₂. In the first experiment with the application of 10 V for 10 days, a 49% increase in shear strength was obtained in the cathode region. In the areas close to the anode and in the middle section, however, the shear strength was decreased by 26 and 11% respectively. In the second and third experiments the shear strength was increased in all regions (close to anode, middle, close to cathode) by 36, 60 and 137% and 25, 48 and 123% respectively. These results showed that the configuration with the anode positioned in the peripheral compartment works much better in obtaining an increase in shear strength throughout the sample.