Electrokinetic conditioning of foundation piles

Abstract

A method for increasing load capacity of a foundation pile installed in a ground material is described. At least one electrode is embedded in the ground material at a predetermined distance from the installed pile. A direct current power source is provided, with the power source including at least one cathode connection and at least one anode connection. One of the at least one cathode connection is secured to the foundation pile. One of the at least one anode connections is secured to each of the at least one electrodes. The direct current power source is activated to generate an electric gradient between the foundation pile and the at least one electrode, with the electric gradient being selected to direct charged soil particles in the ground material toward the foundation pile.

1 . A method for increasing load capacity of a foundation pile installed in a ground material, the method comprising:
 embedding at least one electrode in the ground material at a predetermined distance from the installed pile;   providing a direct current power source including at least one cathode connection and at least one anode connection;   securing one of the at least one cathode connections to the foundation pile;   securing one of the at least one anode connections to each of the at least one electrodes; and   activating the direct current power source to generate an electric gradient between the foundation pile and the at least one electrode, the electric gradient being selected to direct charged soil particles in the ground material toward the foundation pile.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein embedding at least one electrode in the ground material comprises embedding a plurality of electrodes in the ground material at substantially equal predetermined distances around the foundation pile. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein activating the direct current power source to generate the electric gradient comprises supplying an electrical potential from approximately 1 volt DC to approximately 100 volts DC. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein activating the direct current power source to generate the electric gradient comprises generating an electric gradient of approximately 30 volts DC/ft. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the charged soil particles comprise clay particles. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising maintaining the electric gradient between the foundation pile and the at least one electrode for a period of at least approximately 48 hours. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring a moisture content of the ground material and adjusting one of an electrical potential supplied by the direct current power source and a duration during which the electric gradient is maintained based on the measured moisture content. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring a clay content of a soil sample obtained from the ground material and adjusting one of an electrical potential supplied by the direct current power source and a duration during which the electric gradient is maintained based on the measured clay content. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein embedding the at least one electrode in the ground material at a predetermined distance from the installed pile comprises embedding the at least one electrode at a distance of at least approximately 3 feet from the installed pile. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein embedding the at least one electrode in the ground material comprises embedding the at least one electrode to a depth of at least approximately one half of the pile length. 
     
     
         11 . A system for electrokinetic conditioning of an installed steel foundation pile, the system comprising:
 a foundation pile embedded in a cohesive ground material containing negatively charged particles;   at least one electrode embedded in the ground material at a predetermined distance from the foundation pile;   a direct current power source having a positive terminal connected to the foundation pile, and at least one negative terminal connected to each of the at least one electrodes.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one electrode comprises a plurality of electrodes embedded in the ground material at substantially equal predetermined distances around the foundation pile. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are embedded in the ground material at a distance of at least approximately 3 feet from the surface of the foundation pile. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one electrode in the ground material is embedded to a depth of at least approximately one half of the pile length. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the direct current power source comprises an adjustable direct current power source having a maximum voltage of at least approximately 100 V DC. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the negatively charged particles comprise clay particles. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the foundation pile comprises steel. 
     
     
         18 . A method of loosening a conductive structure embedded in a ground material, the method comprising:
 embedding at least one electrode in the ground material at a predetermined distance from the embedded structure;   providing a direct current power source including at least one cathode connection and at least one anode connection;   securing one of the at least one anode connections to the foundation pile;   securing one of the at least one cathode connections to each of the at least one electrodes; and   activating the direct current power source to generate an electric gradient between the foundation pile and the at least one electrode, the electric gradient being selected to direct charged soil particles in the ground material away from the foundation pile.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein activating the direct current power source to generate the electric gradient comprises supplying an electrical potential from approximately 1 volt DC to approximately 100 volts DC. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the conductive structure comprises a steel foundation pile.