Abstract
Since most of the current researches on the crushed-rock interlayer for highway embankment in permafrost region are based on thermal properties, there are few studies on their mechanical deformation characteristics. In order to study the deformation and failure process of crushed-rock interlayer under the long-term settlement deformation of permafrost foundation and to fully consider the discrete characteristics of the crushed-rock interlayer, the finite element model and discrete element model were coupled in this study to accomplish the numerical calculation of long-term settlement deformation of crushed-rock interlayer highway embankment as well as permafrost foundation. The results show that as for the granite blocks adopted in the Gonghe–Yushu expressway, the blocks in the interlayer would be rarely broken, and the deformation of crushed-rock interlayer is mainly caused by the relative movement and rearrangement of the blocks. Based on the calculation results, it is suggested to adopt the uncompacted randomly piled crushed-rock interlayer, which is composed of crushed blocks with more sharp corners. When the size of block varies from 20 to 40 cm, the block size has no obvious effect on the deformation of crushed-rock interlayer, and therefore, the block size could be determined only by the cooling effect of crushed-rock interlayer. At the meantime, the structure layer above the crushed-rock interlayer should also be rigid enough to ensure a smaller uneven settlement value for the superstructure.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cheng G, He P (2001) Linearity engineering in permafrost areas. J Glaciol Geocryol 03:213–217
Zhao S (2018) Study on temperature characteristics and protection measures of permafrost subgrade in G214 national highway, Beijing Jiaotong University
Wang S, Chen J, Zhang J, Li Z (2009) Progress of highway construction technology in permafrost region of Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Sci Sin 01:8–15
Zhu Z, He Z, Luo F, Luo B, Tang C, Zou Z, Guo Z, Xiao W, Jiang X, Li L (2023) Evaluating the performance of a novel ventilated embankment structure in warm permafrost regions by numerical simulation. Cold Reg Sci Technol 209:103805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2023.103805
Qian J, Yu Q, Guo L, Hu J (2013) Experimental study on convection characteristics of crushed-rock layer. Can Geotech J 50(8):834–840. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2011-0201
Song Y, Jin L, Zhang J (2013) In-situ study on cooling characteristics of two-phase closed thermosyphon embankment of Qinghai–Tibet highway in permafrost regions. Cold Reg Sci Technol 93:12–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2013.05.002
Zhao H, Li X, Wu X (2023) Investigation of wind characteristics and cooling effects of crushed-rock embankment with different pavement widths in permafrost region. Atmosphere 14(1):166
Zhang M, Zhang X, Li S, Wu D, Pei W, Lai Y (2015) Evaluating the cooling performance of crushed-rock interlayer embankments with unperforated and perforated ventilation ducts in permafrost regions. Energy 93:874–881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.08.059
Goering DJ, Kumar P (1996) Winter-time convection in open-graded embankments. Cold Reg Sci Technol 24(1):57–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-232X(95)00011-Y
Goering DJ (2003) Passively cooled railway embankments for use in permafrost areas. J Cold Reg Eng 17(3):119–133. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-381X(2003)17:3(119)
Sun B, Xu X, Lai Y, Fang M (2005) Evaluation of fractured rock layer heights in ballast railway embankment based on cooling effect of natural convection in cold regions. Cold Reg Sci Technol 42(2):120–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2005.01.001
Feng Z, Sheng Y, Chen J, Cao Y, Wu J, Li J, Hu X, Wang S (2014) Analyzing the temperature regime within the block stone embankment of the newly constructed Gonghe–Yushu expressway in Qinghai province. J Glaciol Geocryol 36(04):969–975
Feng Z, Sheng Y, Chen J, Wu J, Li J, Cao Y, Hu X, Zhang X (2016) A preliminary analysis of protective effect on permafrost of typical embankment along Gonghe–Yushu highway. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 35(03):638–648
Qi S, Li G, Chen D, Chai M, Zhou Y, Du Q, Cao Y, Tang L, Jia H (2022) Damage properties of the block-stone embankment in the Qinghai–Tibet highway using ground-penetrating radar imagery. Remote Sens 14(12):2950
Shi Q (2018) Analysis and research of roadbed disease in permafrost region of Gongyu expressway, Lanzhou Jiaotong University
Guan R (2021) Research of numerical methods and deformation characteristics for rockfill, Tianjin University
Qu Y, Zou D, Liu J, Yang Z, Chen K (2022) Two-dimensional DEM-FEM coupling analysis of seismic failure and anti-seismic measures for concrete faced rockfill dam. Comput Geotech 151:104950
Li Y, She C, Zhu H (2018) Simulation and verification of particle flow of vibration rolling compaction of field rockfill. Rock Soil Mech 39:432–442
Tang T (2018) Optimization of highway pavement structure based on thawing subsidence deformation in permafrost region of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Southeast University
Harlan RL (1973) Analysis of coupled heat-fluid transport in partially frozen soil. Water Resour Res 9(5):1314–1323. https://doi.org/10.1029/WR009i005p01314
Taylor GS, Luthin JN (1978) A model for coupled heat and moisture transfer during soil freezing. Can Geotech J 15(4):548–555. https://doi.org/10.1139/t78-058
Xu X, Wang J, Zhang L (2001) Physics of frozen soil. Science press, Beijing
Ma T, Tang T, Huang X, Ding X, Zhang Y, Zhang D (2017) Thermal stability investigation of wide embankment with asphalt pavement for Qinghai–Tibet expressway based on finite element method. Appl Therm Eng 115:874–884. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.01.002
Zhang Y, Michalowski RL (2015) Thermal-hydro-mechanical analysis of frost heave and thaw settlement. J Geotech Geoenviron 141(7):4015027. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001305
Fukuda M, Kim HS, Kim YC (1997) Preliminary results of frost heave experiments using standard test sample provided by TC8, International symposium on ground freezing and frost action in soils (Lulea 1997-04-15), A.A. Balkema, Brookfield, pp 25–30
Jiang M, Fang W, Sima J (2015) Calibration of micro-parameters of parallel bonded model for rocks. J Shandong Univ (Eng Sci) 45(04):50–56
Potyondy DO (2015) The bonded-particle model as a tool for rock mechanics research and application: current trends and future directions. Geosyst Eng 18(1):1–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/12269328.2014.998346
Alonso EE, Tapias M, Gili J (2012) Scale effects in rockfill behaviour. Géotech Lett 2(3):155–160. https://doi.org/10.1680/geolett.12.00025
Cil MB, Alshibli KA (2014) 3D evolution of sand fracture under 1D compression. Géotechnique 64(5):351–364. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.13.P.119
Cil MB, Alshibli KA (2012) 3D assessment of fracture of sand particles using discrete element method. Géotech Lett 2(3):161–166. https://doi.org/10.1680/geolett.12.00024
Fu R, Hu X, Zhou B (2017) Discrete element modeling of crushable sands considering realistic particle shape effect. Comput Geotech 91:179–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2017.07.016
Potyondy DO, Cundall PA (2004) A bonded-particle model for rock. Int J Rock Mech Min 41(8):1329–1364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.09.011
Wriggers P (2003) Computational contact mechanics. 2nd ed
Su D, Zhang R, Xiong H, Zhao D (2023) Dynamic analysis of rockfall impact on a protective structure via FEM–DEM coupling. Nat Hazards 119:1771–1797
Shao S, Yan Y, Ji S (2016) Combined discrete-finite element modeling of ballasted railway track under cyclic loading. Int J Comp Meth-Sing 14(05):1750047. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219876217500475
Oñate E, Rojek J (2004) Combination of discrete element and finite element methods for dynamic analysis of geomechanics problems. Comput Method Appl M 193:3087–3128
Rojek J, Oñate E (2008) Multiscale analysis using a coupled discrete/finite element model. Interact Multiscale Mech 1:1–31
Ma T, Liao G, Huang X (2021) Application of Abaqus in road engineering. Southeast University Press, Nanjing
Wang T, Hu C, Wang B, Hou Z (2000) A finite element method for thermal field analysis of frozen soil subgrade on the consideration of all field-factors. China J Highw Transp 04:10–13
Liu J, Tian Y (2002) Numerical studies for the thermal regime of a roadbed with insulation on permafrost. Cold Reg Sci Technol 35(1):1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-232X(02)00028-9
Hoomans BPB, Kuipers JAM, Briels WJ, van Swaaij WPM (1996) Discrete particle simulation of bubble and slug formation in a two-dimensional gas-fluidised bed: a hard-sphere approach. Chem Eng Sci 51(1):99–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2509(95)00271-5
Jiang G, Zhao H, Liu Y, Wu Q, Gao S (2023) Discrepancies of permafrost variations under thermal impacts from highway and railway on the Qinghai–Tibet plateau. Cold Reg Sci Technol 208:103784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2023.103784
Jiang G, Wang L, Yun H, Gao S, Wu Q (2020) Thermal influences of road engineering on permafrost underneath different surface condition in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Cold Reg Sci Technol 173:103028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2020.103028
Shao X (2021) Study on static-dynamic deformation characteristics and size effect of rockfill materials for dam construction based on discrete element simulations, Dalian University of Technology
Wu QB, Ge L, Liu YZ, Zhang TJ (2010) Thermal performance of embankment within crushed rock layer along Qinghai–Tibet railway. Int J Offshore Polar 20(3):210–217
Lai Y, Zhang L, Zhang S, Mi L (2003) Cooling effect of crushed rock embankment on Qinghai–Tibet railway under climate warming. Chin Sci Bull 03:292–297
Administration for Market Regulation of Qinghai Province, Technical specifications for crushed-rock road embankment in permafrost areas. Local standards in Qinghai Province, DB63/T 1486-2016
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the NATIONAL KEY R&D PROGRAM OF CHINA, grant number 21YFB2600600 and 21YFB2600601.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
The authors confirm contribution to the paper as follows: RZ and XH did study conception and design; RZ collected the data; RZ, SW, and TM done analysis and interpretation of results; RZ, JC, and HL performed draft manuscript preparation. All authors reviewed the results and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Zhao, R., Wang, S., Huang, X. et al. Research on the deformation and damage process of crushed-rock highway embankment in permafrost areas. Comp. Part. Mech. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-024-00728-9
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-024-00728-9