Frost heave control of fine round gravel fillings in deep seasonal frozen regions

Fine round gravel soil is widely employed in the subgrade of high and thawing. The lower the fines content in fine round gravel soil, but compaction difficulty increases. This study is to obtain the speed railways in cold regions to prevent frost heaving the smaller the quantities of frost heaving and thawing, optimum fines content and limited frost heaving and thawing. The fine round gravel soil filling （FRGSF） used in the Harbin-Qiqihaer Passenger Dedicated Line is taken as the study object. Influence of fines content on optimum water content, maximum dry density and frost heaving properties of FRGSF were studied by means of compaction and frost heaving tests. Results show that the maximum dry density of the FRGSF increases first and then decreases with an increase of fines content, namely there is an optimum fines content for easy compaction. The method of surface-vibratory instrument is fit for coarse-grained soils, and wet state of coarse-grained soil is in favor of compaction. Considering the relationship of fines content with maximum dry density and the frost heaving ratio of FRGSF, the fines content should be limited to within the range of 9%-10%, so that the frost heaving ratio is less than 1%, and the FRGSF is easily compacted. Water supply is proved to be an important factor influencing the amount of frost heaving of FRGSF. We also conclude that in the field, it is imperative to control waterproofing and drainage measures.

Numerical analysis of applying special pavements to solve the frost heave diseases of high-speed railway roadbeds in seasonally frozen ground regions

The Haerbin-Dalian Passenger Dedicated Line is the first high-speed railway constructed in the seasonally frozen ground regions of northeastern China. Frost heave diseases occurred in the first winter of its operation （between October 2012 and January 2013）, and frost heave was observed mainly in the roadbed fills that were considered not susceptible to frost heave. This paper proposes applying two special pavements -- black pavement and insulation-black pavement -- to improve the thermal regime of the roadbed. Three numerical models of the roadbed temperature field were built based on the field con- ditions of the Changchun section （D3K692＋840 to D3K692＋860）. The results show that： （1） Compared with cement pave- ment, black pavement and insulation-black pavement could reduce the freezing index at the roadbed surface by 37% and 64%, respectively, which could influence the maximum frozen depth; （2） the maximum frozen depths under the black pavement and insulation-black pavement were respectively 1.3-1.4 m and 1 m. Compared with cement pavement, they could reduce the maximum frozen depth by 0.4 m and 0.7-0.8 m, respectively, which would reduce the permitted amount of frost heave by 4 mm and 7-8 ram, which would meet the deformation limit established by the Code for Design on Special Subgrade of Railway; （3） the freezing periods of the black pavement and the insulation-black pavement were, respectively, approximately four months and two months. Compared with cement pavement, they could reduce the freezing period by approximately 19 days and 40 days, respectively, and delay the initial freezing time by 9 days and 18 days; and （4） compared with cement pavement, black pavement and black-insulation pavement could reduce the frozen areas of roadbeds in the cold season, which suggests that these two special pavements could provide better thermal stability for roadbeds.

Analysis of railway subgrade frost heave deformation based on GPS

In order to analyze the connection between the railway subgrade frost heave deformation and temperature variation, five GPS stations＇ data were used to monitor the deformation on a certain section of railway subgrade in northeast China. GAMIT software is used to process the data, providing daily solution, daytime solution and nighttime solution. Vertical trends of these five stations were analyzed to investigate frost heave effect on railway subgrade deformation. The results show that the temperature difference between daytime and night induces stations, significant vertical displacement, and the temperature difference between seasons causes settlement of station which appears linear trend.

Frost deformation and microstructure evolution of porous rock under uniform and unidirectional freeze-thaw conditions

The frost deterioration and deformation of porous rock are commonly investigated under uniform freeze-thaw(FT)conditions.However,the unidirectional FT condition,which is also prevalent in engineering practice,has received limited attention.Therefore,a comparative study on frost deformation and microstructure evolution of porous rock under both uniform and unidirectional FT conditions was performed.Firstly,frost deformation experiments of rock were conducted under cyclic uniform and unidirectional FT action,respectively.Results illustrate that frost deformation of saturated rock exhibits isotropic characteristics under uniform FT cycles,while it shows anisotropic characteristics under unidirectional FT condition with both the frost heaving strain and residual strain along FT direction much higher than those perpendicular to FT direction.Moreover,the peak value and residual value of cumulative frost strain vary as logarithmic functions with cycle number under both uniform and unidirectional FT conditions.Subsequently,the microstructure evolution of rock suffered cyclic uniform and unidirectional FT action were measured.Under uniform FT cycles,newly generated pores uniformly distribute in rock and pore structure of rock remains isotropic in micro scale,and thus the frost deformation shows isotropic characteristics in macro scale.Under unidirectional FT cycles,micro-cracks or pore belts generate with their orientation nearly perpendicular to the FT direction,and rock structure gradually becomes anisotropic in micro scale,resulting in the anisotropic characteristics of frost deformation in macro scale.

Frost-heave properties of saturated compacted silty clay under one-side freezing condition

In seasonally frozen regions,the frost-heave properties of soil play a significant role in its upper-structure performance and durability.To investigate the frost-heave behaviors of saturated,compacted silty clay soil widely used as subgrade material,a series of one-side freezing tests was carried out;and the freezing depth and frozen front effected by the compactness,temperature,overburden pressure,and water-supply condition were analyzed and discussed.The results show that the moving speed of the frozen front and growth rate of the frozen depth are positively correlated.The frost heave is maximum in the frost-heave stability condition.The frost ratio of saturated soil is proportional to the water supply and cooling temperature under a one-side freezing condition.The frost ratio of saturated soil is inversely proportional to the initial compactness of the soil specimen and the overburden pressure.

A mathematical approach to evaluate maximum frost heave of unsaturated silty clay

Maximum frost heave of unsaturated frost-susceptible soils,in conjunction with a high water table,is an important consideration for the design of foundations in seasonally frozen regions.Therefore,it is necessary to evaluate accurately and efficiently the maximum frost heave for a given soil.For this purpose,a series of one-sided freezing experiments was conducted on unsaturated silty clay in an open system.Multistage cooling of sufficient duration was applied to the soil sample's top,while constant above-zero temperatures were maintained at the bottom.Then,a simple methodology for calculating maximum frost heave at a given cooling temperature was derived utilizing information obtained within the limited time allotted for each stage.On this basis,an empirical equation for defining maximum frost heave as a function of cooling temperature and overburden pressure was determined.Overall,this study provides a simple and practical procedure that is applicable to the evaluation of maximum frost heave of unsaturated frost-susceptible soils.

Frost heave analysis of ballasted track above box culvert and its influence on train vibration

The uneven frost heave of frost-susceptible subgrade soil causes track irregularity,which highly enhances train vibration and affects the comfort and safety of railway transportation.This paper presents a coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical(THM)analysis for the freezing behavior of railway located above a box culvert.The vertical acceleration of the vehicle,an indicator of riding comfort,is predicted through a vehicle dynamic model.The results reveal that the existence of a box culvert changes the subgrade thermal pattern,leading to a deeper frost penetration depth.The frost heave amount above the box culvert is larger than the adjacent section,resulting in uneven track structure upheave and track irregularity.This frostinduced track irregularity highly affects train vibration.

Summary of research on frost heave for subgrade in seasonal frozen ground

The building of railways on seasonally frozen ground is inevitable as China pursues economic development and the improvement of its citizens'living standards.However,railway construction in seasonally frozen soil areas is often faced with frost heave,leading to uneven subgrades which seriously threaten traffic safety.This article summarizes extant research results on frost heave mechanism,frost heave factors,and anti-frost measures of railway subgrades in seasonally frozen soil areas.

The effect of confining boundary on soil deformation in one dimensional frost heave tests and the theoretical volume correction

Frost heave is one of the major complications in highway construction in cold regions. Laboratory experiments are im- portant in the study frost heave behavior of soils, and one-dimensional frost heave experiments are the easiest way to evaluate the soil frost heave potential. In a one dimensional frost heave test, the deformation in axial direction is non-uniform because of the confining effect of the cutting ring＇s sidewall. If the effect of confining boundary on soil de- formation is ignored, the deformation will be over-estimated. In this paper, the effect of confining boundary on soil de- formation is theoretically studied and a volume correction method is developed and applied to the frost heave test of a sulfite saline soil. Test results demonstrate that the sulfite saline soil will expand to a loose, low-density state after several freezing-thawing cycles under the condition of zero axial stress.

考虑孔隙比的冻胀弱敏感性土修正PCHeave模型研究

针对我国严寒地区高速铁路路基填料和机场填方等工程具有严格的压实度要求,而考虑孔隙比的冻胀弱敏感性土冻胀影响研究尚未有系统性的理论分析,采用理论与经验分析相结合的方法,基于冻胀弱敏感性土的孔隙比与渗透系数和未冻水含量之间的关系,建立考虑孔隙比的修正PCHeave模型。基于该模型分析孔隙比与冻胀量、冻结深度和冻胀率之间的关系,并进行试验对比验证。研究结果表明:孔隙比与冻胀弱敏感性土的未冻水含量之间存在很好的线性关系;冻胀弱敏感性土的冻胀量和冻胀率均随孔隙比先增大再减小,即存在一个最不利孔隙比使得冻胀量和冻胀率均达到最大值;冻胀弱敏感性土的冻结深度随孔隙比增大而逐渐增大;若仅考虑孔隙比对饱和渗透系数的影响,冻胀量和冻胀率均随孔隙比显著增加,若仅考虑孔隙比对未冻水含量的影响,冻胀量和冻胀率均随孔隙比减小,但减小幅度很小。冻胀弱敏感性土通常被认为不能产生显著冻胀,在一定孔隙比下也能产生较大冻胀,同时考虑孔隙比对饱和渗透系数与未冻水含量的影响要更合理。冻胀弱敏感性土的冻胀不能忽略孔隙比的变化,与试验结果对比,该模型能够较好地描述孔隙比对冻胀弱敏感性土的冻胀影响。

Experimental study on mechanical and frost heave behaviors of silty clay improved by polyvinyl alcohol and polypropylene fiber

Silty clay is widely used as subgrade filler in cold regions,which suffer from frost heave in winter and mud pumping in spring.In this study,polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)and polypropylene(PP)fiber were used to improve the mechanical and frost heave behavior of silty clay in cold regions,and the direct shear test and one-dimensional frost heave test were employed in studying improvement effects.Moreover,improvement mechanisms of PVA and PP fiber were analyzed based on test results.The main findings are as follows.(1)Both PP and PVA can heighten the strength of silty clay and suppress frost heave,but the PVA solution has a more decisive influence on improving mechanical properties than PP fiber.(2)The improvement mechanism of the PVA solution is cementing.The improvement effect of 2%PVA solution is the best,which can increase the shear strength by approximately 40%–60%at different stress levels and decrease the frost heave ratio from 0.89%to 0.16%at optimal water content.(3)For 2%PVA improved samples,0.25%PP fiber can further increase soil cohesion by approximately 20–30 kPa at different stress levels and further decrease the frost heave ratio from 0.16%to 0.07%at optimal water content.The improvement effect is neglectable when the PP fiber content exceeds 0.25%.Overall,2%PVA with 0.25%PP fiber is the optimum combination to improve silty clay in cold regions.

Field monitoring of differential frost heave in widened highway subgrade

In cold regions,the widened subgrade could produce uneven frost heave that is detrimental to the pavement.This study investigates the differential frost heave characteristics in a widened subgrade.The field monitoring system mainly consists of temperature,moisture,and displacement sensors and distributed optical fiber cables for strain measurement.The monitoring results show that the cooling period in the subgrade is longer than the warming period.Water content in the subgrade changes significantly within 0−2 m below the subgrade surface but stabilizes within 2−5 m.The maximum frost heave occurs from February to March.In comparison,the existing subgrade has a longer freezing period and larger heave value,caused by the higher density and water content inside.Water in the existing subgrade migrates into the new one after widening,leading to frost heave reduction in the existing subgrade.Simultaneously,the traffic loads result in the consolidation of the new subgrade,thus reducing the heave value in the second year.In the third year,the water supply from the existing subgrade facilitates the frost heave in the new subgrade.The tensile strain distributions obtained by the distributed optical fiber cables show that the maximum differential frost heave occurs at the joint between the existing and new subgrades.The differential frost heave gradually stabilizes after three years.Finally,an improved frost heave prediction model is developed based on the segregation potential concept and monitoring results.

Investigation of frost heave prevention using permeable subgrade structure

This paper set up a series of comprehensive targets based on the concept of＇anti-freeze filler＇, which include reasonable water retention rate, frost heave characteristics, and compaction characteristics of filling material. Then, a type of permeable graded gravel is proposed, suitable for high-speed railway subgrade. A series of in-door water retention, permeability, and frost heave tests were performed under different graded conditions. Water retention, permeability, and frost heave characteristic of dif- ferent graded filling materials can be determined, in order to define the gradation range of permeable graded gravel. Relying on the frost-heave monitoring record of high speed railway in Northeast China, a series of experimental studies were per- formed, which included on-site filler production, compaction test, and the anti-frost effect test, in order to improve the pro- duction and compaction techniques of permeable graded gravel. From the research of this paper, the use of permeable graded gravel subgrade as the anti-frost structure for the high-speed railway subgrade in cold areas is feasible.

Determination of allowable subgrade frost heave with the pavement roughness index in numerical analysis

Frost heave is an upward swelling of soil during cryogenic conditions in cold regions. It is caused by the accumulation of ice crystals in subgrade soil, which grow upwards when freezing temperatures penetrate into the subgrade. This study establishes the allowable soil subgrade frost heave based on the roughness standard of asphalt pavement in China, and aims to balance the pavement design and frost heave resistance of subgrades in cold regions. We formulated a mechanical model of pavement supported by the boundary conditions of differential frost heave, based on the elastie layered system theory. The differential soil subgrade frost heave was modeled as a sinusoidal function, and the allowable frost heave and the roughness index were modeled as the displacement boundaries for the top and bottom of the pavement structure. Then the allowable frost heave was back-calculated according to the roughness standard. Numerical results show that the allowable frost heave depends on the pavement structure, material properties, the highway grade, and other factors. In order to ensure that the actual soil subgrade frost heave is lower than the allowable frost heave, pavement structures and materials need to be selected and designed carefully. The numerical method proposed here can be applied to establish the frost heave re- sistance of subgrade when the pavement structure and materials are determined.

A NEW MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF SECONDARY FROST HEAVE

In this paper a new mathematical model of secondary frost heave is presented. It is expected that the problem considered under some assumptions is well posed.

A semi-analytical solution for frost heave prediction of clay soil

Frost heave is one of the main freezing problems for construction in permafrost regions.The Konrad-Morgenstern segregation potential（SP） model is being used in practice for frost heave using numerical techniques.However,the heat release from in-situ and migrated water in the freezing zone could result in some numerical instability,so the simulation of frost fringe is not ideal.In this study,a semi-analytical solution is developed for frost heave prediction of clay soil.The prediction results to the two tests with different freezing mode with clay soil agree well with the tested behavior,which indicates the feasibility of the solution.

Investigation of monitoring system for high-speed railway subgrade frost heave

This paper presents methods for monitoring frost heave, device requirements, testing principals, and data analysis re- quirements, such as manual leveling observation, automatic monitoring （frost heave, frost depth, and moisture）, track dynamic detection, and track status detection. We focused on the requirements of subgrade frost heave monitoring for high speed railways, and the relationship of different monitoring methods during different phases of the railway. The com- prehensive monitoring system of high speed railway subgrade frost heave provided the technical support for dynamic design during construction and safe operation of the rail system.

Effects of transient temperature gradient on frost heave of saturated silty clay in an open system

Frost heave in seasonally frozen regions is a one-dimensional process that could severely damage infrastructure subgrades.Stress state,temperature and water migration are important factors for frost heave.This work investigated the effects of soil temperature and volumetric water content on the transient frost heave ratio during the freezing of saturated silty clay in an open system and analyzed the relationships between the transient frost heave ratio and freezing rate and between temperature gradient and frost heave rate.The results show that the frost heave ratio,frost heave rate,and freezing rate are positively correlated with the temperature gradient since the temperature gradient drives the water migration during freezing,indicating the transient temperature gradient could be used to evaluate the frost heave of saturated silty clay.The transient freezing rate and transient frost heave ratio are logarithmically related to the transient frost heave ratio and transient temperature gradient,respectively.The effects of transient temperature gradient on frost heave are the principal mechanism responsible for different frost heave characteristics and uneven frost heave along a subgrade of the same soil type.

Macroscopic Frost Heave Model Based on Segregation Potential Theory

A macroscopic frost heave model with more clear parameters was established. Based on a porosity rate frost heave model and segregation potential theory, a porosity rate function was deduced and introduced into the stress-strain relationship. Numerical simulation was conducted and verified by frost heave tests. Results show that the porosity rate within the frozen fringe is proportional to the square of temperature gradient and current porosity, and is also proportional to the exponential function of applied pressure. The relative errors between the calculated and measured results of frost depth and frost heave are within 3% and 15% respectively, demonstrating that the temperature gradient, applied pressure and current porosity are the main influencing factors, while temperature is just the constraint of frozen fringe. The improved model have meaningful and accessible parameters, which can be used in engineering with good accuracy.

Revision of thickness design of cylindrical frozen walls considering frost heave

This paper outlines development of the thickness design of cylindrical frozen walls in artificial ground freezing （AFG）. A plain strain mechanical model coupled with infinite surrounding soil and rock takes into account the frost heave ratio to investigate the influence of frost heave on the thickness design of frozen wall, and superposition method is used to solve the complicated problem of frozen wall swelling. A revised formula referred to as ＂Baoshen＂ formula has been proposed. This formula provides a convenient analytic solution for any AGF problem involving not only frost heave but also the action of surrounding soil.