Seepage influence of supra-permafrost groundwater on thermal field of embankment on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

As a unique hydro-geological phenomenon in permafrost regions, the seepage of supra-permafrost groundwater will carry a large amount of heat and cause differential settlement in the embankment. This paper presents the results of a field study monitoring the supra-permafrost groundwater levels on both sides of an embankment in permafrost regions. It describes a two-dimensional coupled hydro-thermal model and uses it to analyze the influence of seepage on its temperature field considering climate warming. The results show that seepage exacerbates permafrost thawing and thickens the active layer. The thermal influence on the sunny side of the embankment toe is more significant than that on the shady side, which will cause differential settlement in the embankment. After 50 years of operation, the embankment soil temperature with seepage during freezing is 0.2 °C warmer than that without seepage, and the thermal influence diminished with the increase in depth. Additionally, seepage influences the thermal regime in vertical and horizontal directions of the embankment. During freezing seasons, the thaw depth increases, and the horizontal thaw range decreases. During thawing seasons, the thaw range grows both vertically and horizontally.