Study on the Evolutionary Model and Structural Simulation of the Freeze–Thaw Damage of Cemented Sand and Gravel (CSG)

Abstract

To investigate the material damage and stress state of cemented sand and gravel (CSG) under freeze–thaw environment, this paper proposed an evolutionary model by combining the damage theory of porous materials and the mechanism of deterioration of mechanical properties of CSG under the action of freeze–thaw cycles, and by considering the age effect for the freeze–thaw damage of CSG. Regression analysis showed that this model fitted well with the test results. In addition, this model was applied to simulate the 3D non-steady state temperature field and stress field of a CSG dam. The model comprised positive and negative temperature transition, introduced freeze–thaw damage parameter after each cycle, and accurately simulated the stress state of freeze–thaw damaged CSG structures. Simulation results showed that this method can effectively represent the influence of the swelling and shrinkage due to freezing and melting and of the freeze–thaw damage on the CSG stress field. The results were used to conduct finite element analysis of the relatively long construction process of CSG structures under the action of freeze–thaw cycles.