Results of large-scale modeling of frost heaving in soils during thermostabilization with seasonally-operating cooling devices
https://doi.org/10.52170/1815-9265_2025_75_32
Abstract
The process of thermostabilization of thawed permafrost soils using seasonally-operating cooling devices can take a significant amount of time (up to several years). In certain soil and hydrological conditions, this leads to frost heaving of the subgrade foundation with a fairly long period of heave manifestation on the railway track.
This paper describes a large-scale laboratory experiment conducted to model the thermostabilization of soils with seasonally-operating cooling devices. The purpose was to determine the empirical relationships between the magnitude of frost heaving in clay soils and their type and freezing rate.
The experiment results show significant frost heaving of the soil mass during its thermostabilization by seasonal cooling devices. An empirical relationship was obtained for the volumetric frost heaving coefficient of clay soils with a plasticity index from 5 to 14, as a function of the radial freezing rate near the cooling device. This relationship is recommended for use in designing the thermostabilization of railway subgrade foundations in permafrost regions to quantitatively assess potential subsequent frost heaving deformations and to adopt compensating design solutions.
About the Authors
D. A. RazuvayevRussian Federation
Denis A. Razuvayev – Department “Track and Track Maintenance”, associate professor
Novosibirsk
E. S. Ashpiz
Russian Federation
Evgeny S. Ashpiz – department of Geotechnics, tunnels and subways, Doctor of Technical Sciences, associate professor
Moscow
E. I. Nagaev
Russian Federation
Egor I. Nagaev – Department “Track and track facilities”
Novosibirsk
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Review
For citations:
Razuvayev D.A., Ashpiz E.S., Nagaev E.I. Results of large-scale modeling of frost heaving in soils during thermostabilization with seasonally-operating cooling devices. Bulletin of Siberian State University of Transport. 2025;(3):32-41. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.52170/1815-9265_2025_75_32