Stabilization of a clay soil by injection of different ions

Abstract

In this work the effects of calcium and magnesium ions on stabilization of a clay soil was studied by conducting a set of laboratory tests. A special apparatus was employed for performing the tests under constant voltage and time. During the tests, solutions of calcium chloride (CaCl2) or magnesium chloride (MgCl2) with different concentrations were injected to the soil samples. The electro-osmotic and electrokinetics methods were used for stabilization of the soil and the results were compared with each other. In the electo-osmotic technique distilled water was used as pore fluid but in the electrokinetic method, CaCl2 or MgCl2 solutions with various concentrations were injected to the pore of soil samples. The results revealed an increase in strength of the soil in both methods. In the electrokinetic method, the amount of increase in strength was a function of concentration of the used solution. The results also indicated that solution of CaCl2 is more effective in increasing the strength, discharge flow and electro-osmotic permeability than MgCl2 solution at various concentrations. In addition, the variations of these properties are a function of concentration of used solution.