Studies on frozen ground of China

Permafrost in China includes high latitude permafrost in northeastern China, alpine permafrost in northwestern China and high plateau permafrost on the Tibetan Plateau. The high altitude permafrost is about 92% of the total permafrost area in China. The south boundary or lower limit of the seasonally frozen ground is defined in accordance with the 0 ℃ isothermal line of mean air temperature in January, which is roughly corresponding to the line extending from the Qinling Mountains to the Huaihe River in the east and to the southeast boundary of the Tibetan Plateau in the west. Seasonal frozen ground occurs in large parts of the territory in northern China, including Northeast, North, Northwest China and the Tibetan Plateau except for permafrost regions, and accounting for about 55% of the land area of China. The southern limit of short-term frozen ground generally swings south and north along the 25° northern latitude line, occurring in the wet and warm subtropic monsoon climatic zone. Its area is less than 20% of the land area of China.

Numerical analyses of pile performance in laterally spreading frozen ground crust overlying liquefiable soils

Lateral spread of frozen ground crust over liquefied soil has caused extensive bridge foundation damage in the past winter earthquakes.A shake table experiment was conducted to investigate the performance of a model pile in this scenario and revealed unique pile failure mechanisms.The modelling results provided valuable data for validating numerical models.This paper presents analyses and results of this experiment using two numerical modeling approaches： solid-fluid coupled finite element（FE） modeling and the beam-on-nonlinear-Winkler-foundation（BNWF） method.A FE model was constructed based on the experiment configuration and subjected to earthquake loading.Soil and pile response results were presented and compared with experimental results to validate this model.The BNWF method was used to predict the pile response and failure mechanism.A p-y curve was presented for modelling the frozen ground crust with the free-field displacement from the experiment as loading.Pile responses were presented and compared with those of the experiment and FE model.It was concluded that the coupled FE model was effective in predicting formation of three plastic hinges at ground surface,ground crust-liquefiable soil interface and within the medium dense sand layer,while the BNWF method was only able to predict the latter two.

Probabilistic analysis of embankment slope stability in frozen ground regions based on random finite element method

Prediction on the coupled thermal-hydraulic fields of embankment and cutting slopes is essential to the assessment on evolution of melting zone and natural permafrost table, which is usually a key factor for permafrost embankment design in frozen ground regions. The prediction may be further complicated due to the inherent uncertainties of material properties. Hence, stochastic analyses should be conducted. Firstly, Karhunen-Loeve expansion is applied to attain the random fields for hydraulic and thermal conductions. Next, the mixed-form modified Richards equation for mass transfer （i.e., mass equation） and the heat transport equation for heat transient flow in a variably saturated frozen soil are combined into one equation with temperature unknown. Furthermore, the finite element formulation for the coupled thermal-hydraulic fields is derived. Based on the random fields, the stochastic finite element analyses on stability of embankment are carried out. Numerical results show that stochastic analyses of embankment stability may provide a more rational picture for the distribution of factors of safety （FOS）, which is definitely useful for embankment design in frozen ground regions.

Different Responses of Vegetation to Frozen Ground Degradation in the Source Region of the Yellow River from 1980 to 2018

Frozen ground degradation under a warming climate profoundly influences the growth of alpine vegetation in the source region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.This study investigated spatiotemporal variations in the frozen ground distribution,the active layer thickness(ALT)of permafrost(PF)soil and the soil freeze depth(SFD)in seasonally frozen soil from 1980 to 2018 using the temperature at the top of permafrost(TTOP)model and Stefan equation.We compared the effects of these variations on vegetation growth among different frozen ground types and vegetation types in the source region of the Yellow River(SRYR).The results showed that approximately half of the PF area(20.37%of the SRYR)was projected to degrade into seasonally frozen ground(SFG)during the past four decades;furthermore,the areal average ALT increased by 3.47 cm/yr,and the areal average SFD decreased by 0.93 cm/yr from 1980 to 2018.Accordingly,the growing season Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI)presented an increasing trend of 0.002/10 yr,and the increase rate and proportion of areas with NDVI increase were largest in the transition zone where PF degraded to SFG(the PF to SFG zone).A correlation analysis indicated that variations in ALT and SFD in the SRYR were significantly correlated with increases of NDVI in the growing season.However,a rapid decrease in SFD(<-1.4 cm/10 yr)could have reduced the soil moisture and,thus,decreased the NDVI.The NDVI for most vegetation types exhibited a significant positive correlation with ALT and a negative correlation with SFD.However,the steppe NDVI exhibited a significant negative correlation with the SFD in the PF to SFG zone but a positive correlation in the SFG zone,which was mainly limited by water condition because of different change rates of the SFD.

Simulated effect of soil freeze-thaw process on surface hydrologic and thermal fluxes in frozen ground region of the Northern Hemisphere

Soil freeze-thaw process is closely related to surface energy budget,hydrological activity,and terrestrial ecosystems.In this study,two numerical experiments(including and excluding soil freeze-thaw process)were designed to examine the effect of soil freeze-thaw process on surface hydrologic and thermal fluxes in frozen ground region in the Northern Hemisphere based on the state-of-the-art Community Earth System Model version 1.0.5.Results show that in response to soil freeze-thaw process,the area averaged soil temperature in the shallow layer(0.0175−0.0451 m)decreases by 0.35℃in the TP(Tibetan Plateau),0.69℃in CES(Central and Eastern Siberia),and 0.6℃in NA(North America)during summer,and increases by 1.93℃in the TP,2.28℃in CES and 1.61℃in NA during winter,respectively.Meanwhile,in response to soil freeze-thaw process,the area averaged soil liquid water content increases in summer and decrease in winter.For surface heat flux components,the ground heat flux is most significantly affected by the freeze-thaw process in both summer and winter,followed by sensible heat flux and latent heat flux in summer.In the TP area,the ground heat flux increases by 2.82 W/m2(28.5%)in summer and decreases by 3.63 W/m2(40%)in winter.Meanwhile,in CES,the ground heat flux increases by 1.89 W/m2(11.3%)in summer and decreases by 1.41 W/m2(18.6%)in winter.The heat fluxes in the Tibetan Plateau are more susceptible to the freeze-thaw process compared with the high-latitude frozen soil regions.Soil freeze-thaw process can induce significant warming in the Tibetan Plateau in winter.Also,this process induces significant cooling in high-latitude regions in summer.The frozen ground can prevent soil liquid water from infiltrating to deep soil layers at the beginning of thawing;however,as the frozen ground thaws continuously,the infiltration of the liquid water increases and the deep soil can store water like a sponge,accompanied by decreasing surface runoff.The influence of the soil freeze-thaw process on surface hydrologic and thermal fluxes varies seasonally and spatially.

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.

Frozen ground and periglacial processes relationship in temperate high mountains: a case study at Monte Perdido-Tucarroya area(The Pyrenees, Spain)

Seasonally frozen ground,mountain permafrost and cryogenic geomorphological processes are important components of the Pyrenean high mountains.This work presents the results of a study on the distribution of frozen ground in a marginal and paraglacial environment of temperate mountains.An inventory was made of landforms and indicators of frozen ground,and frozen ground was mapped accordingly.During 2014 and 2016 ground temperatures and thermal regimes were monitored,basal temperatures of snow-cover(BTS)were measured and a thermal map was drawn.Differential thermal behaviours were detected among different elevations and slope orientations.Periglacial processes are the most widespread,in which frost weathering and nivation,together with gelifluction and cryoturbation,are the most efficient processes;the latter two are generally linked to the presence of frozen ground.The fall in air and ground temperatures with altitude,slope orientations,and snowpack thickness and evolution determine ground thermal regimes.In the study area,three types of thermal regimes were established:climate-controlled,snowcover-controlled,and frozen ground-controlled.Seasonally frozen ground occurs across a broad range of elevation between 2650 and 3075 m asl,whereas possible permafrost only occurs above 2750 m asl.

Application of p-y approach in analyzing pile foundations in frozen ground overlying liquefiable soils

Two major earthquakes in Alaska, namely the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake and the 2002 Denali Earthquake, occurred in winter seasons when the ground crust was frozen. None of the then-existing foundation types was able to withstand the force from the lateral spreading of frozen crust. This paper presents results from the analysis of pile foundations in frozen ground overlying lique- fiable soil utilizing the Beam-on-Nonlinear-Winlder-Foundation （BNWF） （or p-y approach）. P-multipliers were applied on tradi- tional sandy soil p-y curves to simulate soil strength degradation during liquefaction. Frozen soil p-y curves were constructed based on a model proposed in a recent study and the frozen soil mechanical properties obtained from testing of naturally frozen soils. Pile response results from the p-y approach were presented along with those from fluid-solid coupled Finite Element （FE） modeling for comparison purpose. Finally, the sensitivity of pile response to frozen soil parameters was investigated and a brief discussion is presented.

Artificially frozen ground and related engineering technology in Japan

Since the 1970's, frozen ground has been developing near the Tokyo Bay area around liquefied natural gas(LNG) inground storage tanks. For disaster prevention purposes, the tanks are constructed below the ground surface. Since the temperature of the liquid stored in the tanks is -162℃ the soil surrounding the tanks freezes. Since this frozen ground has existed for almost half a century, we have permafrost near Tokyo. The development of artificial frozen ground may cause frost heaving, resulting in frost heave forces that may cause structural damage of adjacent LNG in-ground storage tanks.Therefore, the demand for frozen ground engineering increased and consequently we now have advanced technology in this area. Fortunately, we use this engineering technology and artificial ground freezing for civil engineering, especially in big and crowded cities like Tokyo. This paper provides a summary of the testing apparatus, test methods, and assessment methods for frost heaving.

Investigation and Analysis on New Harmful Features Related to Frozen Ground in Permafrost Regions in Qinghai-Tibet Railway

At first, the forming conditions and developing characteristics of several kinds of typical harmful features related to frozen ground are discussed in the paper, such as flooding ice, icing mound, frost mound, thick ground ice, thaw slumping, thermokarst lake and swampland. Secondly, the investigating results of new harmful permafrost features in winter along Qinghai-Tibet Railway are analysed and summarized. Lastly, some data and suggestions will be provided to designing and construction departments.

Impacts of land surface darkening on frozen ground and ecosystems over the Tibetan Plateau

Tibetan Plateau(TP) is known as the “Third Pole” of the Earth. Any changes in land surface processes on the TP can have an unneglectable impact on regional and global climate. With the warming and wetting climate, the land surface of the TP saw a darkening trend featured by decreasing surface albedo over the past decades, primarily due to the melting of glaciers, snow,and greening vegetation. Recent studies have investigated the effects of the TP land surface darkening on the field of climate, but these assessments only address one aspect of the feedback loop. How do these darkening-induced climate changes affect the frozen ground and ecosystems on the TP? In this study, we investigated the impact of TP land surface darkening on regional frozen ground and ecosystems using the state-of-the-art land surface model ORCHIDEE-MICT. Our model results show that darkening-induced climate changes on the TP will lead to a reduction in the area of regional frozen ground by 1.1×10~4±0.019×10~4km~2, a deepening of the regional permafrost active layer by 0.06±0.0004 m, and a decrease in the maximum freezing depth of regional seasonal frozen ground by 0.06±0.0016 m compared to the scenario without TP land surface darkening.Furthermore, the darkening-induced climate change on the TP will result in an increase in the regional leaf area index and an enhancement in the regional gross primary productivity, ultimately leading to an increase in regional terrestrial carbon stock by0.81±0.001 PgC. This study addresses the remaining piece of the puzzle in the feedback loop of TP land surface darkening, and improves our understanding of interactions across multiple spheres on the TP. The exacerbated regional permafrost degradation and increasing regional terrestrial carbon stock induced by TP land surface darkening should be considered in the development of national ecological security barrier.

Changes in global land surface frozen ground and freeze-thaw processes during 1950-2020 based on ERA5-Land data

Frozen ground(FG)plays an important role in global and regional climates and environments through changes in land freeze-thaw processes,which have been conducted mainly in different regions.However,the changes in land surface freeze-thaw processes under climate change on a global scale are still unclear.Based on ERA5-Land hourly land skin temperature data,this study evaluated changes in the global FG area,global land surface first freeze date(FFD),last freeze date(LFD)and frost-free period(FFP)from 1950 to 2020.The results show that the current FG areas(1991-2020 mean)in the Northern Hemisphere(NH),Southern Hemisphere(SH),and globe are 68.50×10^(6),9.03×10^(6),and 77.53×10^(6)km^(2),which account for 72.4%,26.8%,and 60.4%of the exposed land(excluding glaciers,ice sheets,and water bodies)in the NH,SH and the globe,respectively;further,relative to 1951-1980,the FG area decreased by 1.9%,8.8%,and 2.8%,respectively.Seasonally FG at lower latitudes degrades to intermittently FG,and intermittently FG degrades to non-frozen ground,which caused the global FG boundary to retreat to higher latitudes from 1950 to 2020.The annual FG areas in the NH,SH,and globe all show significant decreasing trends(p<0.05)from 1950 to 2020 at-0.32×10^(6),-0.22×10^(6),and-0.54×10^(6)km^(2)per decade,respectively.The FFP prolongation in the NH is mainly influenced by LFD advance,while in the SH it is mainly controlled by FFD delay.The prolongation trend of FFP in the NH(1.34 d per decade)is larger than that in the SH(1.15 d per decade).

Exothermic process of cast-in-place pile foundation and its thermal agitation of the frozen ground under a long dry bridge on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway

A number of dry bridges have been built to substitute for the roadbed on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway,China.The aim of this study was to investigate the exothermic process of cast-in-place (CIP) pile foundation of a dry bridge and its harm to the stability of nearby frozen ground.We present 3D heat conduction functions of a concrete pile and of frozen ground with related boundaries.Our analysis is based on the theory of heat conduction and the exponent law describing the adiabatic temperature rise caused by hydration heat.Results under continuous and initial conditions were combined to establish a finite element model of a CIP pile-frozen ground system for a dry bridge under actual field conditions in cold regions.Numerical results indicated that the process could effectively simulate the exothermic process of CIP pile foundation.Thermal disturbance to frozen ground under a long dry bridge caused by the casting temperature and hydration heat of CIP piles was substantial and long-lasting.The simulated thermal analysis results agreed with field measurements and some significant rules relating to the problem were deduced and conclusions reached.

Dynamics of freezing/thawing indices and frozen ground from 1900 to 2017 in the upper Brahmaputra River Basin, Tibetan Plateau

Dynamics of the frozen ground are key to understand the changes of eco-environment in cold regions,especially for areas with limited field observations.In this study,we analyzed the spatial and temporal variations of the ground surface freezing and thawing indices from 1900 to 2017 for the upper Brahmaputra River(also called the Yarlung Zangbo River in China)Basin(UBRB),southwestern Tibetan Plateau,with the air freezing and thawing indices using the University of Delaware(UDEL)monthly gridded air temperature dataset.The abrupt change years for air freezing index(AH)and ground surface freezing index(GH)were detected in 1999 and 2002,respectively,and for both air thawing index(ATI)and ground surface thawing index(GTI)were 2009.With the air temperature rising at a rate of 0.006℃ per year over 1900-2017,the AH and GH decreased at a rate of-0.1℃ d per year,while the ATI and GTI increased at rates of 0.3 and 0.5℃ d per year before the abrupt change year,respectively;all changing trends of freezing/thawing indices increased after the abrupt year,which was-2.9,-0.8,7.3,and 21.7℃ d per year for the AH,GFI,ATI,and GTI,respectively.We utilized the surface frost number model to obtain the dynamics of the frozen ground over the UBRB.When the empirical coefficient of E was assigned to 1.2,the simulated frozen ground occupied about 53.2%of the whole UBRB in the 1990s,which agreed well with the existing permafrost map published in 1996.The area of frozen ground accounts for 51.5%-54.5%of the UBRB during 1900-2017.This result may facilitate further studies of the multi-interactions among the frozen ground and relevant eco-environment,such as the air-ground surface energy exchange,hydrological cycles,and changes of the active layer thickness over the UBRB.

Current state and past changes in frozen ground at the Third Pole:A research synthesis

The thermal state of frozen ground and its changes are important for understanding environmental change and supporting related applications to the Earth’s Third Pole,which is a hotspot area for science research.However,challenges remain in data and modelling,meaning that much information is unavailable,especially for the entire Third Pole region.Here,we provided basic statistical data regarding the current state of frozen ground and its changes over the 1960s–2010s across the entire Third Pole by integrating nearly all currently available ground observation data and high-quality spatial data using machine learning models and existing high-quality frozen ground data products.The results show that the current(2000–2018)areal extents of permafrost and seasonally frozen ground in the Third Pole are approximately 1.27×10^(6)km^(2)(1.15×10^(6)to 1.39×10^(6)km^(2))and 2.59×10^(6)km^(2),accounting for 28%and 58%,respectively.The areal extent of permafrost region is approximately 50%(23%–93%)larger than that of permafrost area(land underlain by permafrost),especially in some early maps.The corresponding regional average of the mean annual ground temperature is approximately−1.51℃(−1.75 to−1.27℃)in the permafrost area.The regional average of active layer thickness overlying the permafrost and the maximum frost depth for regions of seasonally frozen ground are 235 cm(233–237 cm)and 92 cm,respectively.From the 1960s to the 2010s,on average,permafrost in the Third Pole warmed at a rate of 0.17℃per decade,which was associated with increases in the maximum thaw depth at a rate of 4.42 cm per decade.The regional average of the maximum frost depth declined at a rate of 2.34 cm per decade over the same period.This synthesis highlights the differences between the two terms(permafrost region and permafrost area)and provides crucial information for frozen ground in the Third Pole with higher accuracy for the scientific community and the public.

Simulation of frozen ground distribution in northeast China based on a surface frost number model

Against the background of global warming, environmental and ecological problems caused by frozen ground degradation have become a focus of attention for the scientific community. As the temperature rises, the permafrost is degrading significantly in the frozen ground region of northeast China(FGRN China). At present, research on FGRN China is based mainly on data from meteorological stations, and the research period has been short.In this study, we analyzed spatial and temporal variation in the ground surface freezing index(GFI) and ground surface thawing index(GTI) from 1900 to 2017 for FGRN China, with the air freezing index(AFI) and air thawing index(ATI) using the University of Delaware(UDEL)monthly gridded air temperature dataset. The turning point year for annual mean air temperature(AMAT) was identified as 1985, and the turning point years for GFI and GTI were 1977 and 1996. The air temperature increased by 0.01 ℃ per year during 1900–2017, and the GFI and GTI increased at rates of –0.4 and 0.5 ℃ d per year before the turning point year;after the turning point, these rates were –0.7 and –2.1 ℃ d per year. We utilized a surface frost number model to study the distribution of frozen ground in FGRN China from 1900 to 2017.When the empirical coefficient E value is 0.57, the simulated frozen ground distribution is basically consistent with the existing frozen ground maps. The total area of permafrost in FGRN China decreased by 22.66×10^(4) km^(2) from 1900 to 2017, and the permafrost boundary moved northward with obvious degradation. The results of this study demonstrate the trend in permafrost boundary degradation in FGRN China, and provide basic data for research on the hydrological, climate, and ecological changes caused by permafrost degradation.

Improving the estimation of hydrothermal state variables in the active layer of frozen ground by assimilating in situ observations and SSM/I data

The active layer of frozen ground data assimilation system adopts the SHAW (Simulteneous Heat and Water) model as the model operator. It employs an ensemble kalman filter to fuse state variables predicted by the SHAW model with in situ observation and the SSM/I 19 GHz brightness temperature for the purpose of optimizing model hydrothermal state variables. When there is little water movement in the frozen soil during the winter season, the unfrozen water content depends primarily on soil temperature. Thus, soil temperature is the crucial state variable to be improved. In contrast, soil moisture is heavily influenced by precipitation during the summer season. The simulation accuracy of soil moisture has a strong and direct impact on the soil temperature. In this case, the crucial state variable to be improved is soil moisture. One-dimensional assimilation experiments that have been carried out at AMDO station show that land data assimilation method can improve the estimation of hydrothermal state variables in the soil by fusing model information and observation information. The reasonable model error covariance matrix plays a key role in transferring the optimized surface state information to the deep soil, and it provides improved estimations of whole soil state profiles. After assimilating the 4-cm soil temperature by in situ observation, the soil temperature RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) of each soil layer decreased by 0.96℃ on average relative to the SHAW simulation. After assimilating the 4-cm soil moisture in situ observation, the soil moisture RMSE of each soil layer decreased by 0.020 m3·m-3. When assimilating the SSM/I 19 GHz brightness temperature, the soil temperature RMSE of each soil layer during the winter decreased by 0.76℃, while the soil moisture RMSE of each soil layer during the summer decreased by 0.018 m3·m-3.

土壤电阻率的负温特性及冻土对接地极冲击响应的影响

西藏地区由于独特的气候与地理环境,在其冻土地区存在雷电与低温共存现象。低温下冻土作为含冰复杂体系,其在雷击下的冲击散流性能仍不明晰,因此该文就冻土电阻率的负温特性以及接地极的冲击特性开展研究。首先研究了不同含水量、含盐量的土壤电阻率随温度的变化规律;然后在冲击电流作用下,以永冻土试品的表层土壤融化厚度和季节性冻土试品的表层土壤冻结厚度为变量,探究了其对相应冻土中垂直接地极暂态电位的影响规律;最后结合冻结条件下土壤冲击放电的形貌特征与地中电场强度和电流密度的分布特性,探讨了负温下接地极暂态电位变化的本质原因。试验研究表明:考虑盐分对土壤的影响,当其温度在一次冻结温度Tf与二次冻结温度Ts之间时,电阻率随温度下降缓慢上升,只有当温度降至二次冻结温度时,才存在突增现象;在永冻土中,当冻土温度高于Ts时,接地极仍具有较好的散流性能。由此可知降低Ts可以减小水分冻结对土壤电阻率的影响,为避免极寒地区接地极失效提供了新思路。

Responses of Climatic Change on the Lagging Time about Ground Temperature Reaching the Extremum at Shallow Layers Soil in Wuli

The air temperature of Wuli,which is located in seasonal frozen ground zone,is rising by 13 ℃ yearly.This paper discusses the days that each ground layers' temperature lags behind the surface temperature in reaching extremum.The results were shown:The time of each ground layers' lagging days was increasing;the lagging day in warm season was longer than that in cold season;the growth rate of lagging days in warm season was 0.5 d/y,while the growth rate of lagging days in cold season was 0.7 d/y.

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.