Model tests on liquefaction resistance of desaturation measures of electrolysis

It has been proposed that liquefaction resistance of saturated sandy foundation can be improved through reducing its saturation degree. The electrolysis method is adopted to produce desaturated sand soils. By means of a conductive plastic drainage plate used as the electrodes, the electrolysis tests on water and saturated sand are conducted to determine the electrode spacing, electrolysis voltage and electrode arrangements. The gas bubble distributions of the saturated sandy foundation are analyzed to confirm the feasibility of electrolytic process. The effect of electrolytic procedure is experimentally validated based on the shaking table tests. According to different locations of the electrodes in sandy foundation, three different electrode arrangements, including vertical, horizontal and inclined modes, are compared. The results show that the horizontal one possesses the best liquefaction resistance since the generating excess pore pressure during the vibration is the lowest. Simultaneously, the tests on desaturated sand standing for a period of time after electrolysis are also carried out to investigate the effective time of desaturation effect. The results indicate that the desaturation effect still works under this condition. In engineering practice, the electrolysis of ground can be operated at regular intervals to keep the enhanced liquefaction resistance.