Evaluation on the stability of expressway embankment combined with L-shaped thermosyphons and insulation boards in warm and ice-rich permafrost regions

The embankment construction in permafrost regions changes the energy balance on the surface, resulting in the degradation of the underlying permafrost and instability in the embankment structure. Considering the strict evenness requirement for an expressway, large deformation and instability in expressway embankment cannot be allowed. Accordingly, in this study, a composite measure combined with two-phase closed thermosyphons (TPCTs) and insulation boards is proposed for stabilizing embankments. Moreover, a full-scale experimental expressway embankment is constructed in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) to analyze and investigate the stability of the composite embankment. The experimental results show that the composite measure significantly cools the permafrost under the embankment center and shady slope, and reliably alleviates the embankment deformation and deformation difference. However, the special ground temperature distribution around the TPCTs causes the asymmetric thermal regime and longitudinal cracks in the composite embankment. Additional reinforcement measures should be developed to alleviate the asymmetric thermal regime and prevent such longitudinal cracks. Moreover, timely repair of existing cracks and taking waterproofing measures in advance are favorable for embankment stability.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2021.100633
• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214391221001239
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/22143912
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Luo, Xiaoxiao
  • Yu, Qihao
  • Ma, Qinguo
  • You, Yanhui
  • Wang, Jinchang
  • Wang, Shi
• Publication Date: 2021-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; Illustrations; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 100633
• Serial:
  • Transportation Geotechnics
  • Volume: 30
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 2214-3912
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/22143912

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cooling equipment; Embankments; Heat exchangers; Longitudinal cracking; Permafrost; Soil stabilization
• Geographic Terms: Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (China)
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01782358
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 22 2021 12:03PM