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REDUCING FROST HEAVE BY ELECTRO-OSMOTIC DEWATERING AND SOIL CHEMICAL TREATMENT

A number of soil samples at a site near Fairbanks, Alaska, were subjected to electro-osmosis (i.e. running a direct-current electric field across the sample so that positively charged particles migrate toward the cathode, carrying with them the pore water) and treated with either a flocculant (ferric chloride) or a dispersant (tetrasodium pyrophosphate) and their frost heave were measured and compared with an untreated control. The following conclusions can be drawn: 1. Electro-osmotic dewaterning with soil chemical treatment can significantly reduce frost heave in soils such as Fairbanks silt. 2. The rate of soil dewatering is enhanced with the addition of low concentrations of either a flocculant or a dispersant. 3. High concentration levels of dispersant can significantly reduce the amount of water removable by electro-osmosis. 3. The addition of salts can significantly reduce the power consumption for electro-osmotic dewatering. 5. The antiticpated changes in soil particle zeta potential were produced by the addition of ferric chloride and tetrasodium pyrophosphate. 6. Changes in macroscopic (greater than 0.1 micron) particle size distribution are not affected by the addition of a flocculant or dispersant.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Geophysical Institute

    Alaska University
    Fairbanks, AK  United States  99701
  • Authors:
    • Baker, G C
    • Berg, J C
  • Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: p. 10-15
  • Serial:
    • Northern Engineer
    • Volume: 15
    • Issue Number: 4
    • Publisher: Geophysical Institute
    • ISSN: 0029-3083

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00391049
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jan 30 1985 12:00AM