Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: As cold region engineering expands to higher altitudes and latitudes，the application of fractured rock masses(FRM) in cold region engineering has increased significantly. However，existing theories in frozen soil mechanics are insufficient to address the engineering challenges in these areas. This study investigates the mechanisms of freeze heave(FH) in FRM under low temperatures and freeze-thaw cycles. Through theoretical analysis，laboratory and field experiments，and numerical simulations，the research explores the formation mechanism and failure patterns of FH pressure in FRM. The study finds that FRM exhibit various FH mechanisms，including volumetric expansion，segregated ice，and mixed FH. The semi-elliptical open fissure mixed FH model provides a better description of these mechanisms. FH in FRM is a complex coupling of thermo-hydro-mechanical processes that involve moisture migration，multiphase heat conduction，and crack propagation. Factors such as fissure structure，saturation，sealing properties，freeze mode，ice-rock interactions and phase transitions significantly influence FH pressure and damage. The primary mechanism of damage in FRM is driven by FH pressure promoting the crack propagation，which is significantly influenced by the characteristics of the fissure and rock mass. Moreover，laboratory and field tests show differences in FH behavior，especially concerning freeze-thaw cycles，crack initiation temperature，and water absorption conditions. Future research should focus on micro- and meso-mechanisms，supported by laboratory and field experiments，to investigate moisture migration and ice-rock interactions. The objective is to solve FH pressure，explore the evolution of fracture networks using numerical methods，and develop an adaptive monitoring and decision-support system for predicting FH failure，integrating artificial intelligence and big data.
Authors: Xianjun TAN, Peichao ZHENG, Zhouzhou SU, Hailiang JIA, Chaoxuan ZHANG, Yun ZHOU, Weizhong CHEN
Language: English
Topic: Rock Mechanics and Modeling
Subfield: Mechanics of Materials
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4411355870