Abstract
A constant-current electro-osmotic dewatering is analyzed by use of the Terzaghi-Voigt combined model for considering a creep deformation of the material. The basic differential equation based on the model is solved analytically by assuming that both an electro-osmotic pressure gradient Epg and a modified consolidation coefficient Ce of the material are constant. The solution can explain the time course of changes in a solid compressive pressure distribution. The theory can also explain the final moisture distribution of the material. The progress of electro-osmotic dewatering can be represented by an average consolidation ratio Uc as in mechanical expression. Both Ce and Epg increase with an electric current density i. A larger Ce leads to a higher dewatering rate; a larger Epg results in a higher solid compressive pressure distribution in the material. It is found that the amount of creep deformation depends upon the dewatering rate; the faster the dewatering rate, the larger the creep deformation, i.e., the creep deformation is more remarkable when a higher current density is applied to the material.
