Abstract:

The existence of the seasonal frozen soil layer provides a favorable environment for the formation of the artificially frozen wall; also it changes the wall’s configuration. To investigate the impact of the seasonal frozen soil layer on the formation of the frozen wall, 49 work conditions were simulat. The results show that to form a frozen wall which is 6 m depth and 1.4 m thichness in seasonal frozen area, the construction time can be reduced by 15 days and the consumption of energy can be reduced to 60 %. It has a significant economical predominance to form a frozen wall in frozen area. Seasonal frozen soil layer improved the expanding velocity of the frozen wall; reduced the consumption of energy and improved the wall’s capacity to bear loads. Finally a nonlinear regression model to estimate the thickness and even temperature of the frozen wall is established. The results of present work provide a theoretical support and guide for the application of artificial ground freezing method in cold regions.

Key words: artificially frozen wall, nonlinear ground temperature, seasonal frozen soil layer, ground freezing