Effects of electrokinetic phenomena on the load-bearing capacity of different steel and concrete piles: a small-scale experimental study

To date, the electrokinetic (EK) method has only been used to increase the bearing capacity of steel piles. This study analysed the impact of EK on the bearing capacity of reinforced cement concrete piles (RCCP), reinforced lime-cement concrete piles (RLCCP), and steel piles located in kaolin clay. The performance of four different cathodes was also evaluated, and the iron electrode was found to be the most effective cathode for use in the EK process. Unlike RLCCP, the bearing capacity of 7 day cured RCCP with 5 day EK decreased due to corrosion in the pile body. However, the addition of lime to RCCP significantly increased the pile bearing capacity by 57.8% with 8 day EK and prevented damage and corrosion in the pile body. It is concluded that EK can effectively increase the bearing capacity of both metallic and even concrete piles. Key words: kaolin clay, concrete pile, electrokinetic, bearing capacity. Jusqu'a present, la methode electrocinetique (EC) n'a ete utilisee que pour augmenter la capacite portante des pieux en acier. Cette etude a analyse l'impact de l'EC sur la capacite portante des pieux en beton de ciment arme (PBCA), des pieux en beton de chaux-ciment arme (PBCCA) et des pieux en acier situes dans l'argile kaolinique. La performance de quatre cathodes differentes a egalement ete evaluee, et l'electrode de fer s'est averee etre la cathode la plus efficace a utiliser dans le procede EC. Contrairement a la PBCCA, la capacite portante de la PBCA durcie pendant 7 jours avec un EC de 5 jours a diminue en raison de la corrosion dans le corps du pieu. Cependant, l'ajout de chaux au PBCA a considerablement augmente la capacite portante du pieu de 57,8 % avec un EC de 8 jours et a permis d'eviter les dommages et la corrosion dans le corps du pieu. Il est conclu que l'EC peut effectivement augmenter la capacite portante des pieux metalliques et meme des pieux en beton. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: argile kaolinique, pile de beton, electrocinetique, capacite portante.
Introduction Piles are used as deep foundations to support heavy structures built on soft soils because of their potential for large settlement and low strength. Electrokinetics (EK), as an environmentally [...]