Work

Experimental and analytical investigation of Frost heave characteristics in red-bed coarse-grained materials incorporating particle breakage effect

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The eastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is located in the high-altitude freeze-thaw region, where terrestrial clastic red beds formed by sedimentation since the Mesozoic are widely distributed. Recently, red-bed coarse-grained materials (CGMs) have been increasingly utilised in construction in projects across western China. However, owing to the high degree of weathering and low strength, red-bed CGMs are susceptible to particle breakage under impact loads during compaction. This process results in an increased fine particle content ( FC ), which exacerbates frost heave during the service period, significantly compromising engineering stability. This study investigates the particle breakage and frost heave characteristics of red-bed CGMs, focusing on the effects of water content ( w ), initial fine particle content ( FC 0 ), and the number of freeze-thaw cycles ( N FT ). Based on experimental data, a frost heave ratio prediction model incorporating particle breakage effects was developed. This model accounts for the influence of w , FC 0 , and N FT on the frost heave ratio of red-bed CGMs, offering a scientific foundation for evaluating the suitability of these materials as engineering fillers in high-altitude freeze-thaw regions.

Source: Scientific Reports