Electroosmotic introduction of methacrylate polycations to dehydrate clayey soil
The results of research on highly swelling and contractible Pliocene clays are presented in this paper. The introduction of the polymer poly(methyl methacrylate) (with pendant chains possessing organic cations (poly-DEAH+Cl)) into the clay and the dewatering of the clay were performed using the electroosmosis technique. The measurements were made using a simple electroosmosis apparatus equipped with a specially designed anode, with an electric field equal to 0.5 V/cm applied during the process. After the introduction of the polymeric materials into the clay, a more uniform distribution of the water content and a shortening of the dewatering time were observed in the tested samples. In some cases, dehydration in the presence of poly-DEAH+Cl was four times more effective than dewatering carried out without a polymeric additive. Additionally, as pilot measurements have shown, the introduction of a proper amount of poly-DEAH+Cl into the host layers of the clay causes: (i) a decrease in the expansion index, EI, of about 60%; (ii) an increase in the strength parameter, Cu (cohesion), of about 50%; (iii) an increase in the internal friction angle, ϕu, of about 100%; and (iv) a very high decrease in soaking. The claypolymer composite demonstrates high resistance against moisture.Key words: electroosmosis, polymeric additive, electroosmotic dewatering, clay physical properties.