Experimental study of the dynamic behavior of high-grade highway-subgrade soil in a seasonally frozen area

Regarding the freezing damage of high-grade highway subgrade in seasonally frozen area,the thesis explores the effect on the dynamic behavior of subgrade soil under freeze–thaw cycles and draws the change law of parameters(including dynamic strength,dynamic cohesion,and internal friction angle;and dynamic elastic modulus)of high-grade highway-subgrade soil with the number of freeze–thaw cycles.It aims to provide the reference for operation and maintenance of a high-grade highway.Conclusions:(1)Dynamic strength tends to decline evidently after freeze–thaw cycles,with 60%~70%decline after three cycles,and remains stable after five to seven cycles.(2)With the number of freeze–thaw cycles increasing,the internal friction angle fluctuates within a certain range without an obvious change law,only presenting the tendency of dropping off.The dynamic cohesion declines obviously,about 20%~40%after seven freeze–thaw cycles,and then tends to be stable.(3)With the number of freeze-thaw cycles increasing,the dynamic elastic modulus and maximum dynamic elastic modulus are inclined to decrease distinctly.After five freeze–thaw cycles,the former declines 30%~40%and then remains stable.Meanwhile,the latter falls 20%~40%.     

Influence of repeated freeze-thaw on dynamic modulus and damping ratio properties of silty sand

Under repeated freezing and thawing in deep seasonal frozen regions, the stability and strength of the soil are imposed in the form of large uneven settlement, instability and strength reduction, which...     

Application of dynamic compaction and rolling compaction in the subgrade improvement of Qarhan-Golmud Highway

Melt shrinkage, salt bulge, and corrosiveness are common problems with saline soils, which damage highway foundations and cause huge financial losses. In order to improve the saline soil subgrade, dyna...     

The effect of subgrade inhomogeneity induced by freeze-thaw on the dynamic response of track-subgrade system

The developed vertical coupling model of Vehicle-Track-Subgrade which considered subgrade layer vibration is present-ed. The equations of motion for the ballast, top and bottom subgrade layers are pres...     

冰力学参数的超声波测试研究

利用非线性高能超声测试设备及超声波(纵波、横波)波速与物体力学参数的关系,对人造冰样进行了冰样力学参数(杨氏模量、泊松比、剪切模量、体积模量)随温度变化的研究。通过MATLAB进行所测数据曲线拟合,得到超声波波速在人造冰样中随温度的变化规律,进而由理论公式推导所测人造冰样力学参数随温度的变化规律。结果表明:冰样中超声波波速随温度降低而升高,冰样的杨氏模量、泊松比、剪切模量、体积模量也都随温度降低而升高。本研究有助于超声波检测法在冰样物理力学性质测量中的应用,为开展南极冰盖、海冰以及终年冻土等力学及流动特性研究提供理论模型和实验数据。     

Direct shear tests of coarse-grained fillings from high-speed railway subgrade in cold regions

In order to study the shear behavior of coarse-grained fillings taken from the subgrade bottom layer of a cold region high-speed railway, large scale direct shear tests were conducted with different normal pressures, water contents and temperatures. The results indicate that the relationship between shear displacement and shear stress changed from strain-softening at lower normal pressures to strain-hardening at higher normal pressures, in both unfrozen and frozen states. This phenomenon was mainly due to the shear dilatation deformation effect. The shear displacement-shear stress curves show similar stages. Besides, the shear stress rapidly increased and there was not an increment in the shear displacement during the initial stage of the shear process in the frozen state. In both the unfrozen or frozen states at the same water contents, the shear strength increased with increasing normal pressure.     

Experimental study on DX pile performance in frozen soils under lateral loading

Experiments about working mechanism and mechanical characteristics of the DX model pile foundation under lateral dynamic and static loading were conducted by using a model system of the dynamic frozen ...     

Propagation of vibrations in thawing deep seasonally frozen soils in railway subgrade

In this study, in-situ testing results are given, and the analytical relationship of the vibrations' amplitudes inside an embankment by the thawing of the subgrade surface of seasonably deep frozen soils is provided. The peculiarities of the vibration waves' propagation during the springtime thawing of soils compared to those during the summertime period and the correlation of the vibrations with the under-rail basement modulus of elasticity are defined.     

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.     

Influence of fines content on the anti-frost properties of coarse-grained soil

This paper aims to determine the optimal fines content of coarse-grained soil required to simultaneously achieve weaker frost susceptibility and better bearing capacity. We studied the frost susceptibility and strength properties of coarse-grained soil by means of frost heaving tests and static triaxial tests, and the results are as follows:(1) the freezing temperature of coarse-grained soil decreased gradually and then leveled off with incremental increases in the percent content of fines; (2) the fines content proved to be an important factor influencing the frost heave susceptibility and strength properties of coarse-grained soil. With incremental increases in the percent content of fines, the frost heave ratio increased gradually and the cohesion function of fines effectively enhanced the shear strength of coarse-grained soil before freeze-thaw, but the frost susceptibility of fines weakened the shear strength of coarse-grained soil after freeze-thaw; (3) with increasing numbers of freeze-thaw cycles,the shear strength of coarse-grained soil decreased and then stabilized after the ninth freeze-thaw cycle, and therefore the mechanical indexes of the ninth freeze-thaw cycle are recommended for the engineering design values; and (4) considering frost susceptibility and strength properties as a whole, the optimal fines content of 5% is recommended for railway subgrade coarse-grained soil fillings in frozen regions.     

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.     

Freezing and thawing effects of sand-silt mixtures on elastic waves

Freezing and thawing during the winter season change soil properties such as density. The density change in the particulate media influences soil stiffness. In addition, freezing of partially or fully saturated soils changes the soil matrix from a particulate media to a continuum. The goal of this study is to investigate the cyclic freezing and thawing effects on elastic waves. Sand-silt mixtures with 10% silt fraction in weight and 40% saturation are prepared. The sand-silt mixtures are placed in a nylon cell, onto which a pair of bender elements and a pair of piezoelectric disk elements are installed for the measurement of shear and compressional waves, respectively. The temperature of the mixtures decreases from 20°C to 10°C to freezing. The frozen sample is gradually thawed at room temperature (20°C). These freezing-thawing processes are repeated three times. The test result shows that the shear and compressional wave velocities significantly increase when the specimen is frozen. When the temperature is greater than 0°C, the elastic wave velocities are lower during thawing than during freezing due to soil structure change. This study demonstrates that soil structure change during the winter season may be effectively estimated from elastic waves.     

Analysis of temperature field characteristics based on subgrade site measurements of Harbin-Qiqihar High-speed Railway in a deep seasonal frozen soil region

Recent years have seen a large number of high-speed railways built and will be built in seasonal frozen soil regions of China. Although high-speed railways are characterized by being fast, comfortable and safe, higher standards for deformation of the railways' frozen subgrade are required. Meanwhile, changes in subgrade soil temperatures are the main factors affecting the deformation of frozen subgrade. Therefore, this paper selected typical test subgrade sections of the Harbin–Qiqihar Line, a special line for passenger transport built in the deep seasonal frozen soil regions of China, to monitor field temperatures. Also, the temperature changing laws of railways' subgrade in this region was analyzed by using testing data, the aim of which is to provide a technical support for future design and construction of buildings and structures in a deep seasonal frozen soil region.     

Soil freezing process and different expressions for the soil-freezing characteristic curve

The soil-freezing characteristic curve (SFCC), which represents the relationship between unfrozen water content and sub-freezing temperature (or suction at ice-water interface) in a freezing soil, can be used for understanding the transportation of heat, water, and solute in frozen soils. In this paper, the soil freezing process and the similarity between the SFCC of saturated frozen soil and soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) of unfrozen unsaturated soil are reviewed. Based on similar characteristics between SWCC and SFCC, a conceptual SFCC is drawn for illustrating the main features of soil freezing and thawing processes. Various SFCC expressions from the literature are summarized. Four widely used expressions (i.e., power relationship, exponential relationship, van Genuchten 1980 equation and Fredlund and Xing 1994 equation) are evaluated using published experimental data on four different soils (i.e., sandy loam, silt, clay, and saline silt). Results show that the exponential relationship and van Genuchten (1980) equation are more suitable for sandy soils. The simple power relationship can be used to reasonably best-fit the SFCC for soils with different particle sizes; however, it exhibits limitations when fitting the saline silt data. The Fredlund and Xing (1994) equation is suitable for fitting the SFCCs for all soils studied in this paper.     

A study on dynamic shear strength on frozen soil-concrete interface

Using newly developed dynamic shearing devices, the dynamic shearing strength of frozen soil-concrete interface was studied experimentally. By placing concrete blocks in the lower half of the shear box and frozen soil sample in the upper part, a series of dynamic shear tests on their interfaces were carried out. The obtained results are summarized and the main influencing factors are revealed.     

Laboratory investigation on the mechanical behavior of ice-saturated frozen loess

To investigate the mechanical properties of ice-saturated frozen soil, a series of triaxial tests under various confining pressures（0.5 to 9.0 MPa） on ice-saturated frozen loess with ice content of 23.7% were carried out at a temperature-6 °C, and at 1.25 mm/min of loading rate. The triaxial tests include two loading modes, one with monotonic loading（i.e., triaxial compression）, and another with static cycle loading. The test results under triaxial compression show that the strength and deformation behaviors of ice-saturated frozen loess are affected by confining pressure. According to the test results of triaxial loading-unloading cycle test, the elastic modulus evolution with the number of cycles under different confining pressures are analyzed.     

Experimental investigation on static and dynamic resilient moduli of compacted fine soil

To investigate the static and dynamic resilient modulus of fine soil, and adapting to the new design code and maintenance system of highway subgrade in China, a series of static and dynamic tests were carried out according to the standard laboratory test methods (JTG E40-2007 and JTG D30-2015, respectively). The effects of initial water content, compactness and freeze-thaw cycles on the static and dynamic resilient moduli of fine soil were investigated and analyzed. Experimental test results show that with increasing water content, dry density and freeze-thaw cycles, the static moduli reduces about 10.2%~40.0%, 14.4%~45.5%, and 24.0%~50.3%, and dynamic moduli reduces about 10.9%~90.8%, 2.5%~38.4%, and 0.0%~46.0%, respectively. Then, the empirical mathematical relationship between static and dynamic resilient moduli was established under different water content, dry density and freeze-thaw cycles. The investigation results can be used to determine the dynamic modulus of fine soil by widely used static modulus, which could meet the requirement of adopting dynamic modulus index in new specification.     

Experimental research on acoustic wave velocity of frozen soils during the uniaxial loading process

Ultrasonic P-wave tests of frozen silt and frozen sand were conducted during uniaxial loading by using an RSM^®-SY5(T) nonmetal ultrasonic test meter to study the velocity characteristics of P-waves. The experimental results indicate that the P-wave velocity is affected by soil materials, temperature, and external loads, so the P-wave velocity is different in frozen silt and frozen sand, but all decrease with an increase of temperature and increase at first and then decrease with strain during the loading process. There is an exponential relationship between uniaxial compressive strength and P-wave velocity, and the correlation between them is very good. The characteristic parameters of acoustic waves can, to some extent, reflect the development of internal cracks in frozen soils during loading.     

Field monitoring of railroad embankment vibration responses in seasonally frozen regions

To investigate the vibration characteristics of a railway subgrade in different seasons, three field experiments were carried out in the seasonally frozen Daqing area of China during spring, summer, and winter. The vibration characteristics and attenuation rates of the subgrade induced by passing trains were investigated, and the influences of the season, train speed, train type, train load, and number of train compartments are described in this paper. The results show that: (1) near the rail track the vibration in the vertical direction was more significant than in the lateral and longitudinal directions, and as the distance from the railway track increased, the acceleration amplitudes and the attenuation rates all decreased in all three directions; (2) the acceleration amplitudes and attenuation rates decreased in the three different study seasons as the distance from the railway track increased, and the attenuation rates in the freezing period were the largest; and (3) the acceleration amplitude induced by a freight train was greater than that by a passenger train, and the subgrade vibration increased with increasing passenger train speeds when the number of train compartments was similar. These results have great significance for enhanced understanding of the characteristics of train-induced vibration embankment response in seasonally frozen regions, and provide essential field monitoring data on train-induced vibrations in order to improve the performance criteria of railroading in seasonally frozen regions.     

1981—2018年内蒙古典型草原季节性冻土对气候变化的响应

以1981—2018年内蒙古典型草原季节性冻土为研究对象,通过气候倾向率、Mann-Kendall法、多元线性回归等方法,分析最大冻土时空分布特征、年际、年代际变化,研究影响最大冻土深度变化的气象因子。结果表明：（1） 内蒙古典型草原季节性冻土冻结初日在9—11月,终日在4—6月,年内最大冻土深度出现在2—3月,深度在100~280 cm之间。（2） 最大冻土深度年际变化分为下开口抛物线型、上开口抛物线型、正弦曲线型,从最大冻土深度气候倾向率看呈现减小趋势的站点有68%。（3） 最大冻土深度年代际变化分为逐年代递减、减-增型和无明显变化规律,50%的站点在1989年以后最大冻土深度发生突变。（4） 多元线性回归表明气温冻结指数、年平均风速、年极端最低气温对最大冻土深度产生显著影响。该研究揭示了最大冻土深度存在退化的事实,为草原应对气候变化提供指导,为陆地土壤和大气碳循环交换的研究给出提示。