Research on the mechanism and theoretical model of water vapor freezing in unsaturated soil subgrade

IF 3.8 2区工程技术 Q1 ENGINEERING, CIVIL

Cold Regions Science and Technology Pub Date : 2025-07-03 DOI:10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104597

Haojin Zhang , Haihua Zhang , Xianfeng Ma , Jiangu Qian , Guanlin Ye , Huibo Zhang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

In seasonally frozen soil regions, changes in relative humidity (RH) within the pores of unsaturated soil subgrade induce the migration and freezing of water vapor (water in the form of a gas resulting from heating water or ice). This phenomenon significantly affects the deformation and strength of the soil. Investigating the freezing characteristics of water vapor in unsaturated soil subgrade and establishing mathematical models are essential for uncovering the mechanisms behind structural disasters in these formations. This study addresses the unique four-phase nature of unsaturated frozen soils. A new formula for the surface tension of water vapor ice interface has been proposed, which solves the key blank of the interface assumption. This enables accurate simulation of water vapor freezing dynamics in unsaturated frozen soil. Modifying the Kelvin equation based on the model of variable pore diameter results in a more accurate representation of the relationship between changing porosity, pore volume, and equilibrium RH during freezing. Regression analysis is conducted using data from the International Association for the Properties of Water and Water vapor. The calculation formula for the saturated vapor pressure of frozen soil below zero degrees is revised. Dynamic water vapor freezing experiments and numerical simulations are performed on sandy soils with varying pore parameters (porosity and pore volume) to verify the necessity of the model of variable pore diameter in water vapor freezing theory. The results demonstrated that the amount of frozen water vapor increases with an increase in pore size and RH. This research primarily lays the foundation for the frost heave theory of water vapor in unsaturated frozen soils and provides a theoretical basis for further multifield coupling studies.

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非饱和土路基水汽冻结机理及理论模型研究

在季节性冻土区，非饱和土路基孔隙内相对湿度（RH）的变化导致水蒸气（加热水或冰产生的气体形式的水）的迁移和冻结。这种现象对土体的变形和强度影响很大。研究非饱和土路基中水汽的冻结特性，建立数学模型，是揭示非饱和土路基结构灾害机理的基础。本研究解决了非饱和冻土独特的四相特性。提出了一种新的水蒸汽冰界面表面张力公式，解决了界面假设的关键空白。这使得对非饱和冻土中水汽冻结动力学的精确模拟成为可能。在变孔径模型的基础上修改开尔文方程，可以更准确地表示冻结过程中孔隙率、孔隙体积和平衡RH变化之间的关系。使用国际水和水蒸气性质协会的数据进行回归分析。对零度以下冻土饱和蒸汽压的计算公式进行了修正。通过对不同孔隙参数（孔隙率和孔隙体积）的砂土进行动态水蒸气冻结实验和数值模拟，验证了水蒸气冻结理论中变孔径模型的必要性。结果表明，随着孔隙大小和相对湿度的增加，冻结水蒸气的数量也随之增加。本研究为非饱和冻土水汽冻胀理论奠定了基础，为进一步开展多场耦合研究提供了理论基础。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Cold Regions Science and Technology 工程技术-地球科学综合

CiteScore

7.40

自引率

12.20%

发文量

209

审稿时长

4.9 months

期刊介绍： Cold Regions Science and Technology is an international journal dealing with the science and technical problems of cold environments in both the polar regions and more temperate locations. It includes fundamental aspects of cryospheric sciences which have applications for cold regions problems as well as engineering topics which relate to the cryosphere. Emphasis is given to applied science with broad coverage of the physical and mechanical aspects of ice (including glaciers and sea ice), snow and snow avalanches, ice-water systems, ice-bonded soils and permafrost. Relevant aspects of Earth science, materials science, offshore and river ice engineering are also of primary interest. These include icing of ships and structures as well as trafficability in cold environments. Technological advances for cold regions in research, development, and engineering practice are relevant to the journal. Theoretical papers must include a detailed discussion of the potential application of the theory to address cold regions problems. The journal serves a wide range of specialists, providing a medium for interdisciplinary communication and a convenient source of reference.