ELECTRICAL STRENGTHENING OF CLAYS BY DIELECTROPHORESIS

The theory of dielectrophoresis in clay-water-electrolyte systems is developed in this paper. Dielectrophoresis is the motion of particles generated by a nonuniform electric field. The dielectrophoretic forces on clay particles are determined by the effective polarizability and configuration of the nonuniform electric field. In most clay-water-electrolyte systems, including natural clays, the dielectrophoretic forces are directed towards the lower field intensity, determined by the negative polarizability. In the experimental program, an ac voltage of 60 Hz and 15 kV was applied through insulated electrodes on block samples of Leda clay for 28 days. The relationship between the soil undrained shear strength after treatment and the distribution of electric field provides direct experimental support for the theory developed. Under three electrical-field configurations, the overall shear strengths increased up to 44.0%, concurrent with significant reduction of sensitivity. The improvement of soil properties was also reflected as increases of preconsolidation pressure and shearing resistance in terms of effective stresses. The electrochemical reactions associated with electric current were minimized by insulation to the electrodes.