Factors effecting the freeze thaw process in soils and reduction in damage due to frosting with reinforcement: a review

Abstract

Seasonal frozen soil is widely distributed in China. The seasonal freeze-thaw (F-T) process of soil will adversely affect the safety and service life of the engineering structures in these areas. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly study the main factors affecting the F-T process of soil and prevent or control F-T damage. This study first briefly introduces the distribution of seasonal frozen soil in China and the damage of soil after F-T. Then, on the one hand, it discusses the influencing trends of soil properties after freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) based on the different soil structure, compaction degree, moisture content, freezing temperature, and FTC times. On the other hand, it analyzes the present major project prevention and control measures to the damage of soils subjected to the F-T. This study highlights the positive effect of soil reinforcement on improving soil mechanical properties and reducing F-T destruction to the soil construction. Finally, it prospects the optimal reinforcement methods for all kinds of soils during different F-T conditions based on further theoretical research and practical experience.