Numerical simulations on cutting of frozen soil using HJC Model

Numerical simulation is known as an effective method for mechanical properties during frozen soil excavation.In order to reveal the development of cutting force,effective stress and cutting fragments in frozen silt during the cutting process,we introduce an explicit finite element program LS-DYNA to establish a two-dimensional numerical model of the frozen soil cut.We also use the Holmquist-Johnson-Cook(HJC)damage constitutive model for simulating the variation of soil mechanical properties according to the strong dependence between the cutting tool and frozen silt during the process with different cutting depths,angles and velocities.Meanwhile,a series of experimental results are acquired of frozen silt cutting to prove the application of the HJC model during simulation of cutting force variations.The result shows that the cutting force and fragment size are strongly influenced by cutting depths and cutting velocities increased,and the maximum effective stress at points where the tool contacts frozen soil during the cutting process.In addition,when the cutting angle is 52°,the cutting force is the smallest,and the cutting angle is optimum.Thus,the prediction of frozen soil mechanical properties on the cutting process by this model is conducive to selecting machinery equipment in the field.

Effect of the frozen layer on the stability of cut soil slopes during seasonal freezing and thawing

Research on the stability of soil slopes in seasonally frozen regions has mainly focused on slope failures during the thawing window.There are few studies on slope stability during the freezing window and its subsequent influence on slope failure in the next thawing window.In this paper,soil strength was tested during freezing and thawing to obtain temperature-dependent strength parameters for the simulation of slope stability.Then,the slope's temperature field over an entire year was accurately simulated so that characteristics of the frozen layer could be determined at any time.Based on the above results,the progressive failure modes of frozen soil slopes are discussed.The results show that:1)during the freezing window,depth of the frozen soil layer increases,as does the slope's safety factor,while a yield zone propagates towards the slope shoulder.(2)During the thawing window,the frozen soil layer shrinks in depth while the yield zone continuously expands,which decreases the safety factor.Comprehensive analysis of these results indicate that the frozen layer provides a“toe-locking effect”that increases the safety factor during the freezing window,while it also provides a“dragging effect”that propagates the yield zone towards the slope shoulder.During the thawing window,the“toe-locking effect”gradually diminishes;a continuous sliding surface is formed,which lead to a landslide.The frozen soil layer of the freezing window accelerates the slope sliding in the thawing window.