PhD Studentship: Effectiveness of Electrokinetic Stabilisation (EKS) for Low Strength Collapsible Slopes

Geotechnical, tunnelling and mining industries are constantly challenged by problematic soils with low strength, both high expansivity (swell shrink) and high collapsibility behaviours, and a suite of other challenging engineering behaviours. As such these soils continue to cause several infrastructure failures and geohazards globally, with associated human and economic losses. Moreover, with ever greater weather extreme likely through period of long drought and intense rainfall, current issues faced when engineering these soils will only increase in frequency and impact.

Whilst there are several amelioration approaches that can be utilised these are often expensive, disruptive and can be inconsistent in the improvement achieved in diverse soil systems. However, a novel stabilisation method - the Electrokinetic Stabilisation (EKS) technique is being developed at the University in partnership with industry. The technique transports a stabilising fluid using a controlled electric charge to direct treatment to the area/location required in a very controlled and efficient way. This relies on a suite of processes to be employed including electrolysis reactions to changes in the soil’s PH and promotes the flow of water between electrodes as well as migration of ions towards cathode. It is all the associated movement of particles and fluid that enables soil improvement.

EKS can be cost effective and efficient for improving soils rich in organic content, peat, silty clay, clayey silt, as well as several waste streams from mining and other activities. Thus, EKS has huge potential to transform how engineers treat and manage problematic ground condition. However, the fundamental understanding of the various stabilisation mechanisms is still not well understood, and this is inhibiting the uptake of EKS by industry.

This study will, therefore, aim to improve our understanding and nature of how ESK works and through this how greater design certainty can be gained, hence enabling greater uptake across industry and the full potential of EKS to be realised. This study will utilise Laboratory and Numerical analysis, building off previous studies, complimented by previous field studies.

Supervisor(s): Dr Esdras Ngezahayo (e.ngezahayo@bham.ac.uk) and Prof Ian Jefferson.

The PhD project is fully funded (tuition and stipend fees) by the School of Engineering/University of Birmingham. It is only for home (UK) students.

Eligible candidates must have a MSc/MEng in one of the following fields: Geotechnical Engineering, Geoengineering, Geology, or another relevant degree in Civil Engineering.

For further details please contact Dr Esdras Ngezahayo (e.ngezahayo@bham.ac.uk).

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