A simplified numerical method to simulate the thawing of frozen soil

Autor: Marianna Loli, Angelos Tsatsis, Rallis Kourkoulis, Ioannis Anastasopoulos
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Geotechnical Engineering. 173:408-427
ISSN: 1751-8563
1353-2618
DOI: 10.1680/jgeen.18.00239
Popis: Thawing weakens the frozen soil supporting buildings and lifelines from Siberia to Alaska, resulting in settlements up to hundreds of millimetres during a single season. This paper presents a simplified sequentially coupled numerical approach that can be implemented in a general purpose, commercially available finite-element analysis model. It is intended to provide a reasonably accurate computational tool for the analysis of structures on degrading permafrost, allowing modelling of complex three-dimensional geometries and boundary and loading conditions. The method permits simulation of the temperature-dependent thermal and mechanical properties of soils in an approximate manner. It accommodates large-strain consolidation theory, also allowing use of plasticity constitutive relationships. A thorough validation study was carried out involving comparison with monotonic and cyclic thaw consolidation element tests, analytical solutions and a well-documented case study of an unstable roadway embankment. The latter was complemented by an investigation of thaw-settlement remediation solutions using thermosyphons, with emphasis on the three-dimensional response and their transverse spacing.
Databáze: OpenAIRE