Winter earthwork: embankment construction using frozen soil

1976 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 364-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard D. Alkire ◽  
Wilbur M. Haas ◽  
James J. Botz

Construction of embankments using frozen soils can cause excessive settlement and loss of stability after the soil thaws. This paper contains observations and test results obtained during cold weather construction of a small embankment. Included in the construction phase was ripping of a frozen granular soil, placing and compacting frozen embankment material, and installation of settlement plates and thermistors. Field tests were conducted to determine the size and gradation of the frozen chunks used in the embankment, monitor dry density and moisture content during compaction of the fill, and measure settlement and soil temperatures within the embankment. Results from the field tests were analyzed to assess the effectiveness of field compaction of frozen soil and to quantify settlements that occur as the soil thaws. The results provide the basis for recommendations concerning winter earthwork.

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L Mokwa ◽  
Stefan Fridleifsson

The soil air voids method represents an alternate approach to the traditional Proctor method of field compaction control. The air voids evaluation procedure is based on the premise that the future performance of a compacted layer of soil can be evaluated by comparing the measured air voids with a predetermined limiting value. In theory, a field inspector can rapidly determine if a soil layer meets the specified compaction criteria without obtaining a soil sample for laboratory Proctor compaction testing. Recently, there has been renewed interest in this approach by state departments of transportation because of its timesaving benefits and relative simplicity. The results of this study indicate that the air voids method provides an indirect check on the dry density of the compacted layer; however, the soil water content is not directly assessed during the field evaluation. Using results from laboratory and field tests, examples are provided of problems that could occur with certain soil types if inherent water content limits are relied upon during compaction.Key words: compaction, air voids, Proctor compaction, specific gravity.


1993 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 170-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Ladanyi ◽  
M. Melouki

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the potential use of the borehole stress relaxation test to determine the creep and strength properties of frozen soils in situ. The paper presents the results of a series of laboratory pressuremeter relaxation tests performed in frozen sand and compares three possible interpretation methods for deducing from the test results the creep and strength parameters of frozen soils. Key words : borehole relaxation, pressuremeter, in situ testing, creep and strength properties, frozen soil.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 5017-5031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron A. Mohammed ◽  
Igor Pavlovskii ◽  
Edwin E. Cey ◽  
Masaki Hayashi

Abstract. Snowmelt is a major source of groundwater recharge in cold regions. Throughout many landscapes snowmelt occurs when the ground is still frozen; thus frozen soil processes play an important role in snowmelt routing, and, by extension, the timing and magnitude of recharge. This study investigated the vadose zone dynamics governing snowmelt infiltration and groundwater recharge at three grassland sites in the Canadian Prairies over the winter and spring of 2017. The region is characterized by numerous topographic depressions where the ponding of snowmelt runoff results in focused infiltration and recharge. Water balance estimates showed infiltration was the dominant sink (35 %–85 %) of snowmelt under uplands (i.e. areas outside of depressions), even when the ground was frozen, with soil moisture responses indicating flow through the frozen layer. The refreezing of infiltrated meltwater during winter melt events enhanced runoff generation in subsequent melt events. At one site, time lags of up to 3 d between snow cover depletion on uplands and ponding in depressions demonstrated the role of a shallow subsurface transmission pathway or interflow through frozen soil in routing snowmelt from uplands to depressions. At all sites, depression-focused infiltration and recharge began before complete ground thaw and a significant portion (45 %–100 %) occurred while the ground was partially frozen. Relatively rapid infiltration rates and non-sequential soil moisture and groundwater responses, observed prior to ground thaw, indicated preferential flow through frozen soils. The preferential flow dynamics are attributed to macropore networks within the grassland soils, which allow infiltrated meltwater to bypass portions of the frozen soil matrix and facilitate both the lateral transport of meltwater between topographic positions and groundwater recharge through frozen ground. Both of these flow paths may facilitate preferential mass transport to groundwater.


2004 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 706-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Rankinen ◽  
T. Karvonen ◽  
D. Butterfield

Abstract. Microbial processes in soil are moisture, nutrient and temperature dependent and, consequently, accurate calculation of soil temperature is important for modelling nitrogen processes. Microbial activity in soil occurs even at sub-zero temperatures so that, in northern latitudes, a method to calculate soil temperature under snow cover and in frozen soils is required. This paper describes a new and simple model to calculate daily values for soil temperature at various depths in both frozen and unfrozen soils. The model requires four parameters: average soil thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity of soil, specific heat capacity due to freezing and thawing and an empirical snow parameter. Precipitation, air temperature and snow depth (measured or calculated) are needed as input variables. The proposed model was applied to five sites in different parts of Finland representing different climates and soil types. Observed soil temperatures at depths of 20 and 50 cm (September 1981–August 1990) were used for model calibration. The calibrated model was then tested using observed soil temperatures from September 1990 to August 2001. R2-values of the calibration period varied between 0.87 and 0.96 at a depth of 20 cm and between 0.78 and 0.97 at 50 cm. R2-values of the testing period were between 0.87 and 0.94 at a depth of 20cm, and between 0.80 and 0.98 at 50cm. Thus, despite the simplifications made, the model was able to simulate soil temperature at these study sites. This simple model simulates soil temperature well in the uppermost soil layers where most of the nitrogen processes occur. The small number of parameters required means that the model is suitable for addition to catchment scale models. Keywords: soil temperature, snow model


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5708
Author(s):  
Bo-Ram Park ◽  
Ye-Seul Eom ◽  
Dong-Hee Choi ◽  
Dong-Hwa Kang

The purpose of this study was to evaluate outdoor PM2.5 infiltration into multifamily homes according to the building characteristics using regression models. Field test results from 23 multifamily homes were analyzed to investigate the infiltration factor and building characteristics including floor area, volume, outer surface area, building age, and airtightness. Correlation and regression analysis were then conducted to identify the building factor that is most strongly associated with the infiltration of outdoor PM2.5. The field tests revealed that the average PM2.5 infiltration factor was 0.71 (±0.19). The correlation analysis of the building characteristics and PM2.5 infiltration factor revealed that building airtightness metrics (ACH50, ELA/FA, and NL) had a statistically significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation (r = 0.70, 0.69, and 0.68, respectively) with the infiltration factor. Following the correlation analysis, a regression model for predicting PM2.5 infiltration based on the ACH50 airtightness index was proposed. The study confirmed that the outdoor-origin PM2.5 concentration in highly leaky units could be up to 1.59 times higher than that in airtight units.


2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiqing Li ◽  
Chuan Tang ◽  
Ruilin Hu ◽  
Yingxin Zhou

According to Mengzi expansive soil, consolidated drained tests and undrained tests are carried on under saturated and remoulded conditions. The stress-strain characteristics of saturated soil are researched systematically under different confining pressure, initial dry density, initial water content, shearing rate and drainage condition. The inherent unity of diversity of shearing strength for the same samples measured by different experimental methods is indicated according to the normalization of critical state test results. And the failure lines in p ‘- q - ν space of remoulded saturated expansive soil under consolidated drained and undrained conditions are attained. The hyperbolic curve model can fit well the weak hardening stress-strain curves and the exponential curve model can fit the weak softening stress-strain curves. The test results can provide technical parameters and theoretical help for shearing strength variation of slope during rainfall and strength state of soil structure in normal water level.


2011 ◽  
Vol 250-253 ◽  
pp. 1460-1463
Author(s):  
Jian Qi Wu ◽  
Jian Hong Deng ◽  
Xiao Ping Wang

Obtained stress distribution of hammer bottom according to the analysis of horizontal and vertical red sandstone fill dry density of the hammer bottom after dynamic compaction; affirmed the stress distribution situation of the hammer bottom through comparative analysis of the test results by laboratory and field monitoring.


2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.I. Aksenov ◽  
A.V. Iospa ◽  
D.N. Krivov ◽  
K.V. Ozeritskii ◽  
V.V. Doroshin

2012 ◽  
Vol 212-213 ◽  
pp. 1057-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhong Liu ◽  
Zhu Qing Huang ◽  
Shu Yun Zou ◽  
Hong De Rao

The 3# bulb turbine in Hongjiang Hydropower Plant has faced the problem of output deficiency since its commission in Sept. 2003, which caused a large economic loss. Following simple theoretical analyses on the main factors affecting the turbine’s output and efficiency, the field test schemes were determined to measure the shapes and intervals of guide vanes and runner blades of the 3#, 5# and 6# turbines. The test results discover that the average blade intervals of the 3# turbine are generally less than those of the 5# one. Suggestions on runner blade installation adjustment and combined curve modification are given.


2005 ◽  
Vol 127 (4) ◽  
pp. 496-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. J. O. M. van Rooij ◽  
J. G. Schepers

The effect of rotation has been investigated with emphasis on the impact of blade geometry on the “correction factor” in stall models. The data used came from field tests and wind tunnel experiments performed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and were restricted to the steady-state nonyawed conditions. Three blade layouts were available; a blade with constant chord without twist (phase II), a blade with constant chord and twist (phases III and IV), and a tapered blade with twist (phase VI). Effects due to twist and taper were determined from comparison of c n between the different blade layouts. The formulation of the stall model was rewritten so that the measured c n values could be used without reference to 2D airfoil performance. This enabled a direct comparison of the normal force characteristics between the four blade stations of the selected blade configurations. In particular, the correction term f used in stall models for rotational effects was analyzed. The comparison between the test results with a straight and a twisted blade showed that a relation for twist + pitch is required in f . In addition, a dependency offon the angle-of-attack was identified in the measurements and it is recommended that this dependency be incorporated in the stall models.


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