Analytical Solution for One-Dimensional Electroosmotic Consolidation of a Multilayered Soil System

Horizontal electrodes offer advantages in reducing the soil cracks near the anode, allowing for simultaneous filling and consolidation, and have thus received sustained attention. This paper proposed an analytical approach to analyze the process of electroosmotic consolidation in multilayered soils using horizontal electrodes. New dummy variables were first introduced to homogenize the continuity conditions, which overcomes the limitations of the existing solution for two layers; i.e., the ratios of electroosmotic to hydraulic permeability coefficients are equal for each layer. The new definite solution problem was then solved by the variable separation method. The analytical solution was verified by analytical and numerical results. The superiority of the present solution was illustrated by investigating the effect of the ratio of electroosmotic to hydraulic permeability coefficients in each layer on the consolidation behavior. Parametric analyses were conducted to study the effect of the interlayer on the consolidation process in triple-layered soils. The results revealed that the time corresponding to a 90% average degree of consolidation increases by about fourfold when the hydraulic permeability coefficient of the interlayer is 1/10 that of the noninterlayer. Polarity reversal can significantly reduce consolidation time by shifting the anode closer to the interlayer with lower hydraulic permeability or closer to the interlayer with higher compression.