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.