Large scale soft ground consolidation using electrokinetic geosynthetics

Field test of electro-osmotic consolidation with area of 800 square meters was carried out using electrokinetic geosynthetics (EKG). By introducing this field test, new concepts and solutions of difficulties in large scale application of electro-osmosis is introduced. Strategies of building smart DC power source to meet the large current intensity requirement of electro-osmosis are introduced. Roll polling program is a key program for the control system of smart DC power source. It reduces the requirement of current intensity to 1/3; it also decreases the energy consumption to less than 1 kW·h/m3. Design method for electro-osmotic consolidation is demonstrated while designing a field test. It is based on the energy level gradient theory. Design includes power estimation, wires and cables configuration, treatment time estimation and settlement estimation. The field test show that large scale application of electro-osmotic consolidation is feasible with acceptable power requirement and energy consumption. Electro-osmosis can accelerate consolidation and achieve better consolidation effect. •Strategies of building smart DC power source to meet the large current intensity requirement of electro-osmosis are introduced.•Roll polling program developed in this paper reduces the requirement of current intensity to 1/3; it also decreases the energy consumption to less than 1 kW h/m3.•Design method for electro-osmotic consolidation using EKG based on the energy level gradient theory is demonstrated while designing the field test. Design method includes power estimation, wires and cables configuration, treatment time estimation and settlement estimation.