Electroosmosis-enhanced preloading consolidation via vertical drains

An analytical model of electroosmosis-enhanced preloading consolidation via vertical drains is developed for the design of the combined preloading and electroosmotic consolidation of clay soils. The excess pore pressure and average degree of consolidation are computed and examined for the effects of surcharge load, electric field intensity, treatment time, spatial configuration of electrodes, drainage path, and soil properties. The model is evaluated using the results of a well-known electroosmotic consolidation field test reported in the literature.Key words: consolidation, electroosmosis, surcharge preloading, vertical drains, soil improvement, soft clays.