Abstract
Groundwater seepage significantly affects the temperature field of a cold region tunnel. Laboratory model tests are carried out to evaluate its effects, yielding four main results. First, groundwater seepage can increase tunnel air temperature and decrease the thickness and length of the tunnel insulation layer. Second, groundwater seepage and tunnel ventilation exert a coupling effect on the surrounding rock temperature. This effect is related to the surrounding rock depth. Third, the influence of the groundwater seepage velocity on the temperature of the interface between the lining and surrounding rock demonstrates a spatial difference, and the groundwater seepage leads to an uneven temperature distribution at the interface between the lining and surrounding rock. Furthermore, under groundwater seepage, the shape and size of the tunnel cross section have significant effects on the interface temperature. Fourth, the cold region tunnel has an antifreezing capability that is mainly related to the frost heaving of the surrounding rock and the groundwater seepage velocity. This capability should be fully utilized in the design of cold region tunnels. The experimental data presented can be used to verify the reliability of the theoretical calculation model for tunnel temperatures in cold regions.
Highlights
Half of the world’s land area is covered by transient permafrost, seasonal frozen soil, or permafrost [1, 2]
Wind speed has a significant effect on the interface temperature. e effect is related to the groundwater seepage velocity. ese results indicate that groundwater seepage and tunnel ventilation have a coupling effect on the interface temperature and that this coupling effect is related to the interface location
A systematic study on the temperature field of cold region tunnels is presented in which a model test that considers the coupling effects of groundwater seepage and tunnel ventilation is conducted. e effects of groundwater seepage on the air temperature in the tunnel, the surrounding rock temperature, the temperature at the interface between the lining and surrounding rock, and the freezing damage of the tunnel in cold regions are studied. e following four main conclusions are drawn
Summary
Half of the world’s land area is covered by transient permafrost, seasonal frozen soil, or permafrost [1, 2]. Zhang et al [10,11,12] derived an element calculation formula for the thermo-hydro coupling model to explore how different construction seasons, initial temperatures, and thermal insulation thicknesses affect the temperature field of cold region tunnels. Zhang et al [19] investigated the effects of the heat released during construction and of boundary temperatures on the temperature field of surrounding rock in permafrost tunnels using a model experiment with a 1 : 26.83 geometric reduced scale. Groundwater seepage has significant effects on the temperature field of the surrounding rock in cold region tunnels [9, 13, 22,23,24]. E model test results are used to analyze the distribution characteristics of the temperature field and to reveal the gradual freezing process of cold region tunnels under groundwater seepage. Heat transfer model tests of cold region tunnels experiencing groundwater seepage are carried out. e model test results are used to analyze the distribution characteristics of the temperature field and to reveal the gradual freezing process of cold region tunnels under groundwater seepage. e results are used to analyze the causes of freezing damage to cold region tunnels and to thereby provide a basis for its prevention and control
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