Abstract: This paper conducted a series of electro-osmotic consolidation experiments on marine clayey soils collected from the coastal region in Liaoning Province. The effect of the electrode materials, such as the steel, copper, aluminum and a new composite electrode, on electro-osmotic consolidation was investigated. The consolidation efficiency was analyzed through the experimental results including the effective potential, current, dewatering amount, velocity of dewatering, energy consumption, water content and bearing capacity of the consolidated soil. The new composite electrode, which consists of the carbon fiber, plastic drainage board and steel plate, takes advantage of each material. Thus, the fracture of the steel is solved after the current flows through the steel, and the electrode erosion is reduced. The experimental results demonstrated that the strength of the consolidated soil increased significantly by using the new composite electrodes, and the soil area with the strength of larger than 160 kPa accounts for 75%. In the experiments, severe erosion of the electrode mainly occurred at the anode. According to the erosion ratio of the anode, the erosion amount of the composite electrode was less than that of the metal electrodes. The new composite electrode improved the consolidation efficiency and reduced the cost of the electrode.

Key words: electro-osmosis consolidation, electrode materials, new composite electrode, drainage speed, bearing capacity, comparative experiment