Centrifuge and numerical modeling of the frost heave mechanism of a cold-region canal

Abstract

In cold regions, frozen soil is common and causes various forms of frost damage to engineering projects, particularly canals constructed in seasonally frozen ground. The freezing and frost heave processes are complicated, involving heat transfer, water migration, water–ice phase change, ice accumulation and frost heave deformation. To study the frost heave mechanism of cold-region canals, a centrifuge model of a canal in a freezing environment was constructed and used to simulate canal temperature, water and deformation changes. The experimental and numerical results show that the canal temperature decreases rapidly, forming a substantial temperature gradient in the ground. Driven by the temperature gradient, a portion of the pore water migrates, while other pore water in the freezing zone becomes ice. These phenomena are responsible for the frost heave deformation of the canal model. Generally, the vertical displacement at the top of the canal and the horizontal deformation in the middle-low part of the canal slope are larger than those in other zones, and frost damages occur more easily in these zones. Therefore, to ensure safe operation, these zones should be closely monitored. This study is expected to help the engineer understand the frost heave mechanism of cold-region canals and to design a scientific anti-frost canal. Additionally, the centrifuge and numerical models and results in this study may serve as references for further research.