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.

Automated summary

The study found that using the electrokinetic method can effectively increase the bearing capacity of not only metallic piles, but also concrete piles. Reinforced cement concrete piles (RCCP) showed a significant increase in bearing capacity after the addition of lime and undergoing electrokinetic treatment for a certain period of time.