Experimental study on intermittent electroconsolidation of singly and doubly drained dredged sediments

Electroconsolidation or electroosmosis of the soil is the movement of water from anode to the cathode when the electric current is applied to the soil through electrodes. The flow of water to the cathode is due to the electroosmosis (movement of water), electrophoresis (movement of soil particles), and electromigration of ions. In reclamation areas when the sediments of high moisture content are poured into the paddocks, they undergo a sedimentation process until the moisture content of the sediments reduces and the dredged sediments settle. Construction on these areas is not possible until the soil gains enough strength through consolidation, which takes a long time due to its low permeability. In this study, the potential application of electrokinetic stabilization to accelerate the settlement and dewatering of dredged sediments is investigated, along with the effect of irregular intermittent electric potential, type of drainage (singly and doubly), and efficiency of the method based on power consumption and soil resistivity. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.