Journal Published Online: 27 May 2026
Volume , Issue

Laboratory Investigation of Nanomaterial-Enhanced Electro-osmotic Chemical Consolidation for Stabilizing Soft Clayey Soils

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

The engineering utilization of electro-osmotic consolidation (EOC) for soft floodplain clay is frequently hindered by interfacial resistance buildup and uneven strength development. This study investigated an enhanced EOC approach incorporating nanomaterials, a polymer flocculant, and chemical stabilizers to improve drainage efficiency and mechanical performance. A series of laboratory tests were conducted on soft clay to evaluate the effects of different nanomaterials in combination with anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) and chemical solutions, with the aim of identifying an optimized treatment scheme. Soil response was examined in terms of electrical behavior, pore-water discharge, water content evolution, shear strength, and bearing capacity. Microstructural evolution was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy to reveal the consolidation mechanisms. Results showed that nanomaterial incorporation enhanced electro-osmotic drainage by mitigating polarization effects. The optimized system, combining Fe3O4 nanoparticles, APAM, and chemical solutions, achieved increases of 251 % in average shear strength and 110 % in bearing capacity relative to conventional EOC. Microstructural analysis demonstrated a transition from a dispersed clay fabric to a denser aggregated matrix with improved structural integrity and reduced compressibility. These findings indicated that the proposed nanomaterial-enhanced EOC technique provides an efficient solution for soft ground improvement in floodplain environments.

Author Information

Zhang, Lei
College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Small Watershed Flash Floods and Secondary Disasters, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
Jia, Zhongze
School of Civil Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Wang, Binghui
School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
Hou, Fangyu
School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
Zhang, Yunfei
School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
Jin, Dandan
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
Wang, Liyan
School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
Fang, Chen
School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Pages: 24
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Stock #: GTJ20250205
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ20250205