Discrete ice lens theory for frost heave in soils

1991 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 843-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. (Derick) Nixon
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
Frozen Soil ◽  
Soil Freezing ◽  
Frost Heave ◽  
Overburden Pressure ◽  
Discrete Location ◽  
Freezing Soil ◽  
Analytical Technique ◽  
Segregation Potential

The existing segregation potential (SP) method for frost heave prediction in soils is semiempirical in nature and does not explicitly predict the relationship between heave rate, temperature gradient, and other more fundamental soil properties. The SP method assumes that the heave rate is directly related to the temperature gradient at the frost front but acknowledges that the SP parameter is dependent on pressure, suction at the frost front, cooling rate, soil type, and so forth. This paper extends and modifies an approximate analytical technique of Gilpin and accounts for the effects of distributed phase change within the freezing fringe in both the head- and mass-transfer components of the formulation. The approach requires as input a relationship between frozen hydraulic conductivity and temperature and predicts the discrete location of each ice lens within the freezing soil. The solution can be carried out quickly on a microcomputer to obtain the heave, suction at the frost front, ice lens temperature, and other results of interest with time. Furthermore, the discrete ice lens method predicts the effects of changing overburden pressure on the predicted heave rate. A method of extracting input parameters for the discrete ice lens procedure from a series of frost heave tests is proposed. The discrete ice theory has been tested and calibrated against well-documented frost heave test results in the literature, and very encouraging agreement between prediction and observation has been obtained. Key words: frost heave, discrete ice lens, segregation potential, hydraulic conductivity of frozen soil, freezing soil.

Water flow induced by soil freezing

1977 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne D. Arvidson ◽  
Norbert R. Morgenstern
Keyword(s):  
Freezing Temperature ◽  
Soil Freezing ◽  
Frost Heave ◽  
Freezing Front ◽  
Overburden Pressure ◽  
Soil Frost ◽  
Freezing Soil ◽  
Volumetric Expansion ◽  
Pressure Water

A study to observe the effects of overburden pressure and other parameters on the freezing behavior of a saturated soil was undertaken. A linear relationship between effective overburden pressure and the flow of water into or out of a freezing soil was observed. The effective pressure at which no flow occurred was termed the shutoff pressure. At pressures less than the shutoff pressure water was sucked to the freezing front resulting in segregated ice, ice lensing, and heaving. This heaving could significantly exceed the heave due to the volumetric expansion of the in situ porewater. At pressures greater than the shutoff pressure water was expelled from the freezing front thereby reducing the volume of in situ water and resulting in a relatively small amount of heave. Shutoff pressure was observed to depend on soil type, stress history, and freezing temperature. The effects of overburden pressure upon flow of water in a freezing soil and frost heave were recommended as additional criteria for assessing soil frost susceptibility.

The segregation potential of a freezing soil

1981 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 482-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Marie Konrad ◽  
Norbert R. Morgenstern
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
General Theory ◽  
Water Intake ◽  
Linear Relation ◽  
Frost Heave ◽  
Cold Side ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Freezing Soil ◽  
Segregation Potential ◽  
Measured Water

In previous work it has been shown that when a soil sample freezes in a one-dimensional manner under different cold-side step temperatures but the same warm-side temperature, at the formation of the final ice lens the water intake flux is proportional to the temperature gradient across the frozen fringe. The constant of proportionality has been called the segregation potential and this linear relation constitutes the coupling between heat and mass flow in a general theory of frost heave. This paper shows experimentally that the segregation potential is also a function of the average suction in the frozen fringe which is readily expressed in terms of the suction at the frost front. As a result it is also shown that measured water intake flux during freezing is dependent on the freezing path used to initiate the final ice lens. A thermodynamic explanation of the dependence of segregation potential on suction in the frozen fringe is also offered.

scholarly journals Stress–Strain Model for Freezing Silty Clay under Frost Heave Based on Modified Takashi’s Equation

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (21) ◽  
pp. 7753
Author(s):  
Lin Geng ◽  
Shengyi Cong ◽  
Jun Luo ◽  
Xianzhang Ling ◽  
Xiuli Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
Compressive Modulus ◽  
Freezing Rate ◽  
Frost Heave ◽  
Gradient Term ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Stress Strain ◽  
Overburden Pressure ◽  
Freezing Soil ◽  
Strain Behavior

In analyzing frost heave, researchers often simplify the compressive modulus of freezing soil by considering it as a constant or only as a function of temperature. However, it is a critical parameter characterizing the stress–strain behavior of soil and a variable that is influenced by many other parameters. Hence, herein several one-dimensional freezing experiments are conducted on silty clay in an open system subjected to multistage freezing by considering the compressive modulus as a variable. First, freezing soil under multistage freezing is divided into several layers according to the frozen fringe theory. Then, the correlation between the freezing rate and temperature gradient within each freezing soil layer is investigated. Takashi’s equation for frost heave analysis is modified to extend its application conditions by replacing its freezing rate term with a temperature gradient term. A mechanical model for the stress–strain behavior of freezing soil under the action of frost heave is derived within the theoretical framework of nonlinear elasticity, in which a method for determining the compressive modulus of freezing soil with temperature gradient, overburden pressure, and cooling temperature variables is proposed. This study further enhances our understanding of the typical mechanical behavior of saturated freezing silty clay under frost heave action.

Influence of overconsolidation on the freezing characteristics of a clayey silt

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-M. Konrad
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Void Ratio ◽  
Moisture Transfer ◽  
Frozen Soil ◽  
Frost Heave ◽  
Unfrozen Water ◽  
Initial Void Ratio ◽  
Clayey Silt ◽  
Segregation Potential ◽  
Lens Formation

Laboratory freezing tests were performed on a saturated clayey silt at various overconsolidation ratios (OCR) to establish the relationship between initial void ratio and stress history, and the amount of moisture transfer during freezing. The frost heave tests were analysed in terms of the segregation potential as well as a function of the temperature of ice lens formation and the overall hydraulic conductivity of the frozen fringe. All other factors being the same, the segregation potential was found to increase with increasing values of OCR (decreasing initial void ratios). However, the combined effects of decreasing void ratio and increasing suction at the frost line, all other factors being identical in all freezing tests, resulted in decreasing segregation potentials. This trend was the result of a decrease in the temperature of ice lens formation and the concomitant decrease in overall hydraulic conductivity of the frozen fringe. A simple model showed that the capillary unfrozen water between clay particles increases when the particles pack closer together, as overconsolidation increases, allowing the migratory water to freeze within the frozen soil at a colder temperature. Key words: frost heave, clayey silt, overconsolidation, void ratio.

scholarly journals Experimental and Theoretical Investigations on Frost Heave in Porous Media

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Ming ◽  
Dong-qing Li
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
Soil Column ◽  
Frost Heave ◽  
Overburden Pressure ◽  
Cold Regions ◽  
Freezing Soil ◽  
Finite Element Software ◽  
Theoretical Investigations ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Increasing Temperature

For the construction in cold regions, frost heave and thaw settlement are the two factors which must be taken care of. Considered that a saturated soil column was subjected to an overburden pressure to model the ice lens growing process. A typical process, which coupled water, heat, and stress that happened in a saturated freezing soil column, was simulated by the finite element software. We did the numerical simulation under the same conditions as the experiment tests and then compared the results from temperature, frost heave, frozen structure, water content, and water intake. Result shows that the simulation results match well with the experimental results, and the correctness of the mathematical model is validated. On that basis, frost heave amount under different conditions by changing the temperature boundary and loading boundary is obtained. The frost heave has an optimum temperature gradient. Under the optimum value, the frost heave amount increases with increasing temperature gradient. Above the optimum value, frost heave decreases with increasing temperature gradient. Increasing the overburden pressure, frost heave amount always decreases. These results can provide references for the constrictions in cold regions.

Prediction of frost heave in the laboratory during transient freezing

1982 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-M. Konrad ◽  
N. R. Morgenstern
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
Water Intake ◽  
Applied Load ◽  
Frost Heave ◽  
Freezing Soil ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Segregation Potential ◽  
Rate Of Cooling

Previous studies have demonstrated that, close to steady-state conditions, the ratio of the water intake velocity to the temperature gradient across the frozen fringe, called the segregation potential, is an important property characterizing a freezing soil. Under the more general conditions of transient freezing it is shown that the freezing characteristics of a given soil under zero applied load are defined by the segregation potential, the suction at the frozen–unfrozen interface, and the rate of cooling of the frozen fringe. These parameters form a relationship called the characteristic frost heave surface that can be used to predict mass transfer during the freezing of fine-grained soils. Examples of freezing tests conducted under various conditions are reproduced numerically to illustrate the fundamental character of this surface.

Stress Analysis of Pipeline Subjected to Differential Frost Heave

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Di ◽  
Jian Shuai ◽  
Lingzhen Kong ◽  
Xiayi Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Strain Analysis ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Frozen Soil ◽  
Computational Method ◽  
Frost Heave ◽  
Safe Operation ◽  
Stress Strain ◽  
Segregation Potential ◽  
Differential Frost Heave ◽  
Design Construction

Frost heave must be considered in cases where pipelines are laid in permafrost in order to protect the pipelines from overstress and to maintain the safe operation. In this paper, a finite element model for stress/strain analysis in a pipeline subjected to differential frost heave was presented, in which the amount of frost heave is calculated using a segregation potential model and considering creep effects of the frozen soil. In addition, a computational method for the temperature field around a pipeline was proposed so that the frozen depth and temperature variation gradient could be obtained. Using the procedure proposed in this paper, stress/strain can be calculated according to the temperature on the surface of soil and in a pipeline. The result shows the characteristics of deformation and loading of a pipeline subjected to differential frost heave. In general, the methods and results in this paper can provide a reference for the design, construction and operation of pipelines in permafrost areas.

Frost susceptibility related to soil index properties

1999 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Marie Konrad
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Relationship ◽  
Liquid Limit ◽  
Frost Heave ◽  
Assessment Methodology ◽  
Index Properties ◽  
Susceptibility Assessment ◽  
Overburden Pressure ◽  
Compressibility Index ◽  
Segregation Potential ◽  
Average Size

The analysis of frost-heave data on several soils confirmed that segregation potential, hence frost susceptibility, of saturated soils was best related to the average size of the fines fraction, the specific surface area of the fines fraction, and the ratio of the material's water content to its liquid limit. The influence of overburden pressure can also be accounted for by an empirical relationship between the segregation potential, the average size of the fines fraction, and the compressibility index of the soil. The segregation potential was also proportional to the relative fines content in soils where the fines do not completely fill the voids of the coarser fraction. This study led to the development of a new frost-susceptibility assessment methodology based on simple geotechnical routine soil index testing that was validated on a highway site on frost-susceptible subgrade till.Key words: frost heave, index properties, criteria, soil, segregation potential.

scholarly journals The Modelling of Freezing Process in Saturated Soil Based on the Thermal-Hydro-Mechanical Multi-Physics Field Coupling Theory

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2684
Author(s):  
Dawei Lei ◽  
Yugui Yang ◽  
Chengzheng Cai ◽  
Yong Chen ◽  
Songhe Wang
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Void Ratio ◽  
Soil Column ◽  
Soil Freezing ◽  
Frost Heave ◽  
Freezing Process ◽  
Soil Particles ◽  
Initial Void Ratio ◽  
Freezing Depth

The freezing process of saturated soil is studied under the condition of water replenishment. The process of soil freezing was simulated based on the theory of the energy and mass conservation equations and the equation of mechanical equilibrium. The accuracy of the model was verified by comparison with the experimental results of soil freezing. One-side freezing of a saturated 10-cm-high soil column in an open system with different parameters was simulated, and the effects of the initial void ratio, hydraulic conductivity, and thermal conductivity of soil particles on soil frost heave, freezing depth, and ice lenses distribution during soil freezing were explored. During the freezing process, water migrates from the warm end to the frozen fringe under the actions of the temperature gradient and pore pressure. During the initial period of freezing, the frozen front quickly moves downward, the freezing depth is about 5 cm after freezing for 30 h, and the final freezing depth remains about 6 cm. The freezing depth of the soil column is affected by soil porosity and thermal conductivity, but the final freezing depth mainly depends on the temperatures of the top and lower surfaces. The frost heave is mainly related to the amount of water migration. The relationship between the amount of frost heave and the hydraulic conductivity is positively correlated, and the thickness of the stable ice lens is greatly affected by the hydraulic conductivity. With the increase of the hydraulic conductivity and initial void ratio, the formation of ice lenses in the soil become easier. With the increase of the initial void ratio and thermal conductivity of soil particles, the frost heave of the soil column also increases. With high-thermal-conductivity soil, the formation of ice lenses become difficult.

The Formation of Ice Lenses in Unidirectional and Multidirectional Freezing Soil

2013 ◽  
Vol 353-356 ◽  
pp. 68-73
Author(s):  
Xian Feng Zhu ◽  
Xiang Yang Wei ◽  
Xing Huang ◽  
Yun Peng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Rectangular Cavity ◽  
Temperature Gradients ◽  
Frost Heave ◽  
Freezing Process ◽  
Soil Specimen ◽  
Plate Temperature ◽  
Freezing Soil ◽  
Unidirectional Freezing

Experimental studies were conducted on unidirectional and multidirectional freezing of artificial soils in a rectangular cavity. The ice lenses were observed through transparent plexiglass plate. Temperature gradients in soil specimen were obtained during freezing process. The experimental results indicated that the temperature gradient may change the shape of ice lenses. The amount of frost heave of multidirectional freezing was less than unidirectional freezing, so multidirectional freezing mode is helpful to restrain vertical frost heave.

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