To investigate the stress–strain behavior of frozen soils, a program of triaxial compression tests was designed and carried out on samples of unfrozen and frozen cohesive (CL) and granular...

Effect of Freezing on Stress–Strain Characteristics of Granular and Cohesive Soils

This paper describes the development of a random finite element model that allows holistic simulation of the phase transition and consequent development of internal stress and volume changes in fro...

Microstructure-Based Random Finite Element Method Model for Freezing Effects in Soils and Cold Region Retaining Walls:

The technology of artificial ground freezing has been widely applied in geotechnical engineering to support underground spaces, whereas the effects of excavation-induced large deformation and frictional and dilatant behavior of geomaterials are neglected in the current design. In this paper, a rigorous elastic-plastic solution of cavity contraction is proposed using a non-associated Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion to provide the optimal thickness of the frozen soil wall for excavation using artificial ground freezing technology, considering an interaction between the frozen soil wall and the surrounding soil/rock. After validation of a case study on a deep mine shaft against a numerical simulation, a thorough parametric study investigates the variation in the optimal thickness with the soil properties and initial stress conditions, as well as the effects of interaction and the critical condition. Compared to the existing solution, the proposed optimal thickness of the frozen soil wall is shown to contribute to both the design and cost-effectiveness in practical engineering, including tunneling and mine shaft construction.

An elastic-plastic solution for the optimal thickness of a frozen soil wall considering an interaction with the surrounding rock

A design method for a frozen-soil retaining wall is presented based on the flexural theory. The method assumes that the frozen wall behaves as a cantilever retaining wall under lateral earth pressure. Because of the complex nature of a frozen soil, the main purpose of the design method is to determine the required thickness of the frozen wall so that its creep stress, creep strain, and creep deflection are within safety limits. Since a frozen soil behaves differently under tensile and compressive stresses, the method uses both tensile and compressive material properties of the frozen soil in computing flexural stresses and strains. Equations developed previously are extensively simplified and made more suitable for design purposes. Design charts are developed to enhance the design process. Assumptions and safety factors in the design process are also discussed, and a design example is presented.

Sweanum Soo

Papers

Design Method for Frozen‐Soil Retaining Wall