Study of hydrothermal processes in ice-layers subgrade under constant temperature and dynamic loading

• Published in: Scientific reports 2024-02, Vol.14 (1), p.3970-3970, Article 3970
• Main Authors: Zhai, Jinbang, Zhang, Ze, Yang, Linzhen, Zhou, Kunchao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 639/166; 639/166/986; Constant temperature; Dynamic loading; Humanities and Social Sciences; Hydrothermal; Hydrothermal studies; Ice; Ice-layers subgrade; Mechanical loading; Moisture content; multidisciplinary; Permafrost; Pore water; Pressure distribution; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Soil moisture; Soil temperature; Spatial distribution; Water content; Water pressure
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54089-7

The presence of ice-layers in the subgrade soils makes the hydrothermal state of road subgrade built in island permafrost regions more susceptible to external environmental influences. In order to deepen the study of the ice-layers subgrade, a hydrothermal study of subgrade under constant temperature and dynamic loading was carried out. It was found that dynamic loading can change the temperature, moisture and pore water pressure distribution. Under dynamic loading, the hydrothermal and pore water pressure state of the soil in the upper part of the ice layer changed significantly at the beginning of the test. The application of dynamic loads alters the spatial distribution of pore water pressure in the soil, resulting in pressure differences between different areas, which affects the migration of moisture and ultimately leads to the formation of areas with higher moisture content in the area below the load. However, the reduction in soil temperature will weaken the effect of the load, therefore, the temperature of the soil should be controlled for frozen subgrade with ice-layers to prevent the accumulation of moisture in the soil.