Reinforced soil design using the combined electrokinetic and mechanical properties of soil

The design of reinforced soil is usually based solely on the mechanical properties of the fill, in the case of new structures, or the soil in the case of soil nailing. All soils display electrokinetic properties but these have largely been ignored in geotechnical design. The development of electrokinetic geosynthetic materials, which act as both electrodes as well as providing the established geosynthetic functions, has made it possible to combine the electrokinetic and mechanical properties of soils in geotechnical design. Using this approach, it is possible to improve the mechanical properties of the soil or fill prior to or during construction. The objective of the electrokinetic improvement is to increase the availability of suitable fill or make soils/waste materials previously not suitable for soil reinforcement acceptable and hence extend the application of reinforced soil. The use of computer-controlled electrokinetic treatment has resulted in effective and economic design and construction protocols, which in turn have led to a growing number of applications which provide positive evidence of the economic and environmental benefits of combining both the electrokinetic and mechanical properties of the soil in the design of reinforced soil structures.

Automated summary

Traditional design of reinforced soil structures ignores the electrokinetic properties of soils, but the development of electrokinetic geosynthetic materials enables the combination of electrokinetic and mechanical properties in geotechnical design. By using electrokinetic improvement, the mechanical properties of soils can be enhanced, expanding the application of reinforced soil. The use of computer-controlled electrokinetic treatment has resulted in effective and economic design and construction protocols, providing evidence of the economic and environmental benefits of incorporating both electrokinetic and mechanical properties in the design of reinforced soil structures.