Research on pile performance and state-of-the-art practice in cold regions

A pile foundation is commonly adopted in geotechnical engineering to support structures, and its application has been extended to cold-regions engineering. In past decades, a host of scholars investigated pile behaviors and proposed design guidelines for seasonally frozen ground or permafrost. This paper reviews the research with respect to pile performance and engineering practice in cold regions, organized as follows: (1) creep tests and bearing capacity, (2) frost-jacking hazards, (3) laterally loaded piles, (4) dynamic responses, (5) refreezing due to concrete-hydration heat, and (6) improved countermeasures and design methods. We first summarize previous research and recent progress; then, predict the development trend of pile foundations in cold regions and recommend further research.     

Technological monitoring of subgrade construction on high-temperature permafrost

Three stages of complex technological monitoring for the increase of high-temperature-permafrost soil bearing capacity are described. The feasibility of process monitoring to improve the targeted strength properties of subgrade bases on frozen soils is demonstrated. The rationale for the necessity of predictive modeling of freeze-thaw actions during the subgrade construction period is provided.     

喀纳斯风景区旅游环境承载力研究

以旅游环境承载力理论为基础,初步构建了喀纳斯风景区的旅游环境承载力指标体系.通过问卷调查、专家访谈及相关资料的分析,对各分量旅游环境承载力进行测算,得出(1)景区的限制因子为生态旅游环境承载力,景区的适宜承载力为2 352人次/日,极限承载力为2 822人次/日;(2)景区旅游环境承载力利用现状为全年弱载,旺季适载,旺季高峰目超载,旅游淡季严重弱载;(3)景区各景点承载力利用水平不同,游客多聚集在观鱼亭和湖边.在此基础上,提出时空分流、新增景点等调控措施解决景区超载和弱载问题,为景区的规划开发提供科学依据,对景区的可持续发展具有建设意义.     

Advances in thermokarst lake research in permafrost regions

A thermokarst lake is defined as a lake occupying a closed depression formed by ground settlement following thawing of ice-rich permafrost or the melting of massive ice. As it is the most visible morphologic landscape developed during the process of permafrost degradation, we reviewed recent literature on thermokarst studies, and summarized the main study topics as： development and temporal evolution, carbon release, and ecological and engineering influence of thermokarst lakes. The climate warming, forest fires, surface water pooling, geotectonic fault and anthropogenic activity are the main influencing factors that cause an increase of ground temperatures and melting of ice-rich permafrost, resulting in thermokarst lake formation. Normally a thermokarst lake develops in 3–5 stages from initiation to permafrost recovery. Geo-rectified aerial photographs and remote sensing images show that thermokarst lakes have been mainly experiencing the process of shrinkage or disappearance in most regions of the Arctic, while both lake numbers and areas on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau have increased. Field studies and modeling indicates that carbon release from thermokarst lakes can feedback significantly to global warming, thus enhancing our understanding of the influences of thermokarst lakes on the ecological environment, and on regional groundwater through drainage. Based on field monitoring and numerical simulations, infrastructure stability can be affected by thermal erosion of nearby thermokarst lakes. This review was undertaken to enhance our understanding of thermokarst lakes, and providing references for future comprehensive studies on thermokarst lakes.     

Analysis of permanent deformations of railway embankments under repeated vehicle loadings in permafrost regions

By large-scale dynamic tests carried out on a traditional sand-gravel embankment at the Beilu River section along the Qinghai-Tibet Railroad, we collected the acceleration waveforms close to the railway tracks when trains passed. The dynamic train loading was converted into an equivalent creep stress, using an equivalent static force method. Also, the creep equation of frozen soil was introduced according to the results of frozen soil rheological triaxial tests. A coupled creep model based on a time-hardening power function rule and the Druker-Prager yield and failure criterion was established to analyze the creep effects of a plain fill embankment under repeated train loads. The temperature field of the embankment in the permafrost area was set at the current geothermal conditions. As a result, the permanent deformation of the embankment under train loading was obtained, and the permanent deformation under the train loads to the total embankment deformation was also analyzed.     

Problems and countermeasures in construction of transmission line projects in permafrost regions

Construction of power transmission lines is becoming an important part of permafrost engineering in China.This paper reviews the construction status and problems of transmission lines in different countries,as well as corresponding solutions that would be of practical significance for sustainable engineering practices.Russia has the longest history of transmission line construction in permafrost areas,with transmission lines（mainly 220 kV and 500 kV） spanning approximately 100,000 km.However,all countries suffer from permafrost-related tower foundation stability problems caused by freezing-thawing hazards such as frost heave and thaw settlement,frost lifting,and harmful cryogenic phenomena.As point-line transmission line constructions,the lines,poles and towers should be reasonably selected and installed with a comprehensive consideration of frozen soil characteristics to effectively reduce the occurrence of freezing-thawing disasters.Reinforced concrete pile foundations are widely used in the permafrost regions,and construction in winter is also a universal practice.Moreover,facilitating engineering measures like thermosyphons are an effective way to reduce freezing-thawing hazards and to maintain the stability of tower foundations.     

Analysis about the influence on the thermal regime in permafrost regions with different underlying surfaces

In the last several decades, the underlying surface conditions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau have changed dramatically, causing permafrost degradation due to climate change and human activities. This change severely influenced the cold regions environment and engineering infrastructure built above permafrost. Permafrost is a product of the interaction between the atmosphere and the ground. The formation and change of permafrost are determined by the energy exchange between earth and atmosphere system. Fieldwork was performed in order to learn how land surface change influenced the thermal regime in permafrost regions. In this article, the field data observed in the Fenghuo Mountain regions was used to analyze the thermal conditions under different underlying surfaces on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Results show that underlying surface change may alter the primary energy balance and the thermal conditions of permafrost. The thermal flux in the permafrost regions is also changed, resulting in rising upper soil temperature and thickening active layer. Vegetation could prevent solar radiation from entering the ground, cooling the ground in the warm season. Also, vegetation has heat insulation and heat preservation functions related to the ground surface and may keep the permafrost stable. Plots covered with black plastic film have higher temperatures compared with plots covered by natural vegetation. The reason is that black plastic film has a low albedo, which could increase the absorbed solar radiation, and also decrease evapotranspiration. The ＂greenhouse effect＂ of transparent plastic film might effectively reduce the emission of long-wave radiation from the surface, decreasing heat loss from the earth＇s surface, and prominently increasing ground surface temperature.     

Safety of small and medium dams in permafrost regions

Safe operation and performance of dams is one of the key issues in permafrost regions. At present, the existing dams are 40–45 years old and they are reaching their design life limit. Intensive geocryological processes（thermokarst, thermal erosion, frost heaving, suffosion, concentrated seepage along the voids left by melt ice and others） begin to develop at the early stages of construction. These processes are even more intensive under severe climatic conditions of the permafrost zone due to the large thermal and moisture gradients and the resulting complex thermal stress-strain state in the structures. Determining safety criteria is a critical and difficult task in dam safety management. The existing procedures need to be continuously refined and improved depending on dam importance class. Some researchers recommend introducing process development criteria（stability, destabilization, and extremality） for more objective assessment of dam safety, in addition to the existing two condition criteria. In other words, they call for a multi-factor dam – environment interaction system. A case study of safety declaration for an existing dam is presented.     

Research on EPS application to very wide highway embankments in permafrost regions

In order to maintain the thermal stability of very wide highway embankments in permafrost regions, the thermal isolation material EPS is often utilized. To examine the effects of this insulation on the China National Highway (G214), two-dimensional finite element analysis of temperature fields was conducted for varying widths of highway embankments with and without EPS insulation. The numerical results show that in permafrost regions the effect of thermal aggregation on asphalt pavement is more obvious when highway embankments are wider, and, specifically for the G214 highway, the insulation should be more than 25 cm thick for 24-m-wide embankments. However, considering other factors such as the structural rationality of the embankments and high engineering costs, it might not be feasible to install EPS insulation in 24-m-wide embankments of the G214 highway when the height of the embankments is less than 3.65 m.     

Study on the adaptability of block-rock embankment in permafrost regions

As an effective solution for protecting the underlying permafrost and preventing roadway damages, the block-rock embankment(BRE) has been widely used on the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, Qinghai–Tibet Highway, and Ching–Hong Road;and it will be promoted for other roadways in the future. To evaluate the adaptability of BRE, the catastrophe-progression method was adopted for the evaluation. By analyzing the factors affecting the stability of BRE and utilizing engineering experience, we were able to establish the mathematical model and divide the adaptability of BRE into five grades. After the verifying analysis of 28 practical engineering examples, the evaluation results are broadly in line with practical application effects. Therefore, the adaptability of BRE can be evaluated and predicted more accurately with this evaluation model.     

二元模式下水资源承载力系统动态仿真模型研究

首先探讨了二元模式下水资源承载力的内涵,然后根据水资源承载力的特点探讨了运用系统动力学方法研究水资源承载力的可行性,并在此基础上建立了二元模式下水资源承载力系统动力学动态仿真模型,最后以典型缺水地区陕西关中为例,根据未来水资源的变化趋势,研究了不同方案下关中水资源承载力,得到提高关中水资源承载力的满意方案。     

Study on the technology for highway construction and engineering practices in permafrost regions

In order to systemically summarize and integrate technology of highway construction in permafrost regions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,we studied disciplines and mechanisms of formation and development of problems and challenges in highway engineer-ing in high-altitude permafrost regions based on construction experiences for 50 years and on 30 years of research regarding the Qinghai-Tibet and Xikang highways.Embankments,pavements,bridges,and countermeasures for ecosystem protection in per-mafrost regions were the main study objects.We combined extensive analysis of key problems of engineering stability with inter-action between permafrost and highways,theoretical models,indoor tests,and field tests to reveal the interaction between em-bankments,pavements,bridge piles,and permafrost.In this paper,we propose a series of engineering measures for highway sta-bility,design parameters,key indexes for pavement durability in low temperature,relationships between re-freezing time of bridge-pile foundation and strength development as well as ecosystem recovery in high-latitude cold regions;these eventually form a construction technology package for permafrost regions.     

Evaluation of embankment foundation creep in conditions of deep bedding of roof in permafrost soils

Railroad operating experience in permafrost conditions has shown that deformations of embankments on thawing foun-dations last for a long time. After an initial period of heat settlement due to permafr...     

Dynamic behavior of the Qinghai-Tibetan railway embankment in permafrost regions under trained-induced vertical loads

The unfrozen water content and ice content of frozen soil change continuously with varying temperatures, resulting in the temperature dependence of mechanical properties of frozen soil. Thus the dynamic behavior of embankment in permafrost regions under train loading also alters with seasons. Based on a series of strong-motion tests that were carried out on the traditional embankment of Qinghai-Tibet Railway(QTR) in permafrost regions, the acceleration waveforms recorded at the embankment shoulder and slope toes were obtained. Testing results show an obvious attenuation effect on the vertical train loading from road shoulder to slope toes. Furthermore, numerical simulations of a traditional embankment under vertical train loading in different seasons were conducted, and the dynamic behavior of the embankment was described. The results show that the vibration attenuation in the cold season is greater than that in the warm season. The maximum acceleration of vibration drops to about 5% when the train vibration load is transferred through the embankment into the permafrost, and the high-frequency components are absorbed when the vibration transmits downward. Moreover, the dynamic stress under the dynamic train loading decreases exponentially with an increasing depth in different seasons. The results can be a reference for design and maintenance of embankments in permafrost regions.     

Discussion on the relationship between longitudinal cracks and alignment of subgrade in permafrost regions

At present, embankment longitudinal cracks are a major problem in highways through permafrost regions, and seriously affect traffic safety and the normal operations of the highway. In the past, roadbed height in permafrost regions was relatively low, and embankment cracks were rare and did not affect traffic safety. Thus, highway designers and researchers paid little attention to this problem, and they knew very little about distribution laws and mechanism of embankment longitudinal cracks. Due to this lack of knowledge, there is no uniform opinion on this problem, making it difficult to find measures that will mediate the impact of longitudinal cracks. Temperature is a major factor that affects and controls embankment stability in permafrost regions, especially in ice-rich and high-temperature regions, and solar radiation is the principal factor that determines surface temperatures. Under higher embankment, the difference of temperature will be larger between a sunny slope and a shady slope. Hence, the probability for longitudinal cracks generation is higher. In this paper, a survey and analysis of longitudinal cracks along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway were carried out. The longitudinal cracks are found to be related to the road strikes. Solar radiation is considered to play an important role in the generation of longitudinal cracks.     

A full-scale field experiment to study the thermal-deformation process of widening highway embankments in permafrost regions

As one of the widely used upgrading way in road engineering, the widening embankment(WE) has suffered evident differential deformation, which is even severer for highway in permafrost regions due to the temperature sensitivity of frozen soil and the heat absorption effect of the asphalt pavement. Given this issue, a full-scale experimental highway of WE was performed along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway(QTH) to investigate the differential deformation features and its developing law. The continuous three years' monitoring data taken from the experimental site, including the ground temperature and the layered deformation of WE and original embankment(OE), were used to analyze the thermal-deformation process. The results indicate that the widening part presented the remarkable thermal disturbance to the existing embankment(EE). The underlying permafrost was in a noteworthy degradation state, embodying the apparent decrease of the permafrost table and the increase of the ground temperature. Correspondingly, the heat disruption induced by widening led to a much higher deformation at the widening side compared to the original embankment, showing a periodic stepwise curve. Specifically, the deformation mainly occurred in the junction of the EE and the widening part, most of which was caused by the thawing consolidation near the original permafrost table. In contrast, the deformation of EE mainly attributed to the compression of the active layer. Furthermore, it was the deformation origination differences that resulted in the differential deformation of WE developed gradually during the monitoring period, the maximum of which reached up to 64 mm.     

A system for automated monitoring of embankment deformation along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in permafrost regions

At present, the monitoring of embankment deformation in permafrost regions along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is mainly done manually. However, the harsh climate on the plateau affects the results greatly by lowering the observation frequency, so the manual monitoring can barely meet the observational demand. This research develops a system of automated monitoring of embankment deformation, and aims to address the problems caused by the plateau climate and the permafrost conditions in the region. The equipment consists of a monitoring module, a data collection module, a transmission module, and a data processing module. The field experiments during this program indicate that(1) the combined automated monitoring device overcame the problems associated with the complicated and tough plateau environment by means of wireless transmission and automatic analysis of the embankment settlement data;(2) the calibration of the combined settlement gauge at-20 °C was highly accurate, with an error rate always 0.5%;(3) the gauge calibration at high-temperature conditions was also highly accurate, with an error rate 0.5% even though the surface of the instrument reached more than 50 °C; and(4) compared with the data manually taken, the data automatically acquired during field monitoring experiments demonstrated that the combined settlement gauge and the automated monitoring system could meet the requirements of the monitoring mission in permafrost regions along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.     

Temperature monitoring of the XPS board insulated subgrade along the newly constructed Gonghe-Yushu Highway in permafrost regions

On the basis of on-site measured data of the newly constructed Gonghe-Yushu Highway in a permafrost region, this paper analyzed thermal conditions of the subgrade with XPS insulated board according to different selected monitoring sections in various locations. We also summarized the geothermal distribution and change rules of subgrade with XPS insulation board under the asphalt pavement in summarized a high temperature frozen soil region. It is suggested that the shoulder of subgrade with XPS insulation board be widen to a reasonable width so as to keep the subgrade stable.     

Surface-deformation monitoring in the permafrost regions over the Tibetan Plateau,using Sentinel-1 data

Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar(D-In SAR) has been widely used to measure surface deformation over the Tibetan Plateau. However, the accuracy and applicability of the D-In SAR method are not well estimated due to the lack of in-situ validation. In this paper, we mapped the seasonal and long-term displacement of Tanggula(TGL) and Liangdaohe(LDH) permafrost regions with a stack of Sentinel-1 acquisitions using the Small Baseline Subset In SAR(SBAS-In SAR) method. In the TGL region, with its dry soils and sparse vegetation, the In SAR-derived surface-deformation trend was consistent with ground-based leveling results; long-term changes of the active layer showed a settlement rate of around 1 to 3 mm/a due to the melting of ground ice, indicating a degrading permafrost in this area. Around half of the deformation was picked up on monitoring, in contrast with in-situ measurements in LDH, implying that the D-In SAR method remarkably underestimated the surface-deformation. This phenomenon may be induced by the large soil-water content, high vegetation coverage, or a combination of these two factors in this region. This study demonstrates that surface deformation could be mapped accurately for a specific region with Sentinel-1 C-band data, such as in the TGL region.Moreover, although the D-In SAR technology provides an efficient solution for broad surface-deformation monitoring in permafrost regions, it shows a poor performance in the region with high soil-water content and dense vegetation coverage.     

大兴安岭多年冻土区森林土壤温室气体通量

多年冻土温室气体排放对全球气候变化有重要影响。采用静态暗箱—气相色谱法,于2016—2017年生长季（5—9月）,对大兴安岭多年冻土区兴安落叶松林、樟子松林和白桦林土壤二氧化碳（CO₂）、甲烷（CH₄）和氧化亚氮（N₂O）通量进行野外原位观测,对比分析温室气体通量的动态变化特征及其关键影响因子。结果表明：3种林型土壤CO₂通量范围为65.88~883.59 mg·m^-2·h^-1;CH₄通量范围为-93.29~-2.82 μg·m^-2·h^-1;N₂O通量范围为-5.31~45.22 μg·m^-2·h^-1。整个生长季兴安落叶松林、樟子松林和白桦林土壤均表现为CO₂、N₂O的排放源、CH₄的吸收汇,土壤CO₂和CH₄通量在不同林型和年际间差异显著。3种林型土壤CO₂通量与5 cm、10 cm和15 cm土壤温度呈极显著正相关（P < 0.01）;CH₄通量受土壤含水量和10 cm、15 cm土壤温度的影响较大（P < 0.05）;兴安落叶松林和樟子松林土壤N₂O通量与气温呈显著正相关（P < 0.05）,而白桦林土壤N₂O则与15 cm土壤温度呈显著负相关（P < 0.05）。基于100 a时间尺度计算温室气体全球综合增温潜势,3种林型土壤温室气体的排放对气候变暖具有正反馈作用。