Analysis of the Embankment Stability in Permafrost Regions based on Double Strength Reduction Finite Element Method

Abstract

In order to study the embankment stability in permafrost regions, the vertical deepening and horizontal extension of the thaw bulb under the embankment in permafrost regions have been calculated and analyzed based on the double strength reduction finite element method. The vertical depth of the thaw bulb has less impact on the location of longitudinal cracks, and greater impact on the size of cracks on the embankment surface. Moreover, the deeper the vertical depth of the thaw bulb is, the larger the size of cracks becomes. The horizontal extension of the thaw bulb not only impacts on the location of longitudinal cracks on the embankment surface, but also impacts on the size of cracks. There is a critical length for the horizontal extension of the thaw bulb, where the probability of longitudinal cracks is the greatest. When the length is smaller than the critical length, the probability of longitudinal cracks increases with the length increasing; when the length is greater than the critical length, there will be no longitudinal cracks, but the whole embankment tilts to the sunny slope.