Thawing warm permafrost of quicklime (CaO) piles and their optimization design

IF 3.8 2区工程技术 Q1 ENGINEERING, CIVIL

Cold Regions Science and Technology Pub Date : 2025-09-22 DOI:10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104689

Yuncheng Mao , Shanzhi Fan , Guoyu Li , Dun Chen , Changqing Zhao , Yanhu Mu , Haihong Zhang , Chunqing Li , Xiaosen Li , Xiaolin Li

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

As a sustainable ground improvement technique, quicklime (CaO) piles have demonstrated considerable potential in frozen soil engineering applications. This study systematically investigates the thermochemical behavior of quicklime piles in thawed-warm permafrost, focusing on their exothermic behavior, expansion, and moisture absorption capability. Comprehensive laboratory experiments involving six physical models constructed with two representative soils from Northeast China's Mo'he Airport and the Lanzhou Loess District, coupled with 55 numerical simulation cases, were conducted. Critical parameters like soil temperature evolution, heat flux distribution, volumetric moisture content, and density variations during frozen soil thawing were quantitatively analyzed. The results reveal that the thawing radius of quicklime piles is strongly correlated with three primary factors: volumetric ice content (θ_i), initial soil temperature (T₀), and quicklime weight ratio (QWR). Under otherwise identical conditions, the thawing radius demonstrates a positive linear relationship with QWR. Soil densification within the thaw-affected zone significantly improved, with average dry density increasing by ≥5 %. When arranged in triangular configurations with a pile spacing ≤3d (where d represents pile diameter), the inter-pile soil exhibited effective compaction characteristics (average squeeze coefficient ≥ 0.93). Field validation is recommended to verify inter-pile soil compression performance for a pile spacing exceeding 3d. The results substantiate that quicklime pile technology provides an effective dual-function solution for thermal stabilization and mechanical reinforcement in warm permafrost regions. This research establishes a theoretical framework and technical guidelines for optimizing quicklime pile applications in permafrost engineering.

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生石灰桩暖冻土解冻及其优化设计

生石灰桩作为一种可持续的地基改良技术，在冻土工程中具有相当大的应用潜力。本研究系统地研究了冻土层中生石灰桩的热化学行为，重点研究了其放热行为、膨胀和吸湿能力。以东北漠河机场和兰州黄土区两种典型土壤为研究对象，建立了6个物理模型，并结合55个数值模拟案例进行了室内综合试验。定量分析了冻土融化过程中土壤温度演变、热通量分布、体积含水量和密度变化等关键参数。结果表明：生石灰桩的融化半径与体积冰含量θi、初始土壤温度T0、生石灰重量比QWR三个主要因素密切相关；在其他条件相同的情况下，融化半径与QWR呈线性正相关。融化影响区土壤密度显著改善，平均干密度增加≥5%。当桩间距≤3d （d为桩径）呈三角形布置时，桩间土表现出有效压实特性（平均挤压系数≥0.93）。当桩距超过3d时，建议采用现场验证方法验证桩间抗压性能。结果表明，生石灰桩技术在多年冻土区提供了一种有效的热稳定和机械加固双重功能解决方案。本研究为优化生石灰桩在多年冻土工程中的应用提供了理论框架和技术指导。

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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.