Electrokinetic stabilization of marine clayey soil using magnesium chloride solution: A green soil stabilizer

MgCl2 is widely used on roads for controlling dust and humidity, reducing the scattering of coarse particles, anti-icing, and improving the geotechnical properties of problematic soils by chemical stabilization. In this study, we initially induced the MgCl2 solution to electrokinetic stabilization. Six electrokinetic experiments were conducted on marine clayey soil, collected from Zhuhai, China, to investigate the feasibility using MgCl2 solution as a green stabilizer in the electrokinetic stabilization process. The dewatering efficiency, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), anode corrosion and power consumption due to electrokinetic treatment were analysed. Up to 600% increases in UCS taken from the anode zones was observed after 7-days of curing. The results revealed that injecting of 0.8% MgCl2 solution (by the dry wight of soil) at a constant concentration of 20% was the optimum amount for the electrokinetic stabilization of marine clayey soil from Zhuhai, and the higher concentration of MgCl2 solution reduced the degree of anode corrosion.

Automated summary

The study showed that injecting 0.8% MgCl2 solution at a constant concentration of 20% was the optimal amount for electrokinetic stabilization of marine clayey soil from Zhuhai, resulting in significantly increased unconfined compressive strength. Higher concentrations of MgCl2 solution also reduced anode corrosion during the process.