University of Twente Student Theses
Study of Freezing and Thawing Processes in Granular Soils
Andreev, Y.K. (2024) Study of Freezing and Thawing Processes in Granular Soils.
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| Abstract: | This study delves into the complex responses of sand-clay mixtures to freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles, a critical aspect of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. The research focuses on the volumetric behaviour of these mixtures, with kaolin clay contents varying from 5% to 70%, under controlled F-T conditions. Six samples with 5%, 10%, 20%, 50%, 60% and 70% kaolin were prepared and tested to evaluate the changes in their void ratio, water absorption, frost heave and segregation. The experimental findings revealed that an increase in kaolin content correlates with higher void ratios and greater water absorption, leading to more significant frost heave. Notably, the finer mixtures exhibited more pronounced volume expansion during freezing, with the frost heave ratio in the second cycle being higher than in the first cycle. Despite some anomalies due to experimental inconsistencies such as sample compaction and water leakage, these observations were mostly consistent with trends identified in a previous study with which a comparative analysis was conducted. Additionally, it was determined that frost heave predominantly occurs in the upper layers of the soil, rather than uniformly throughout the entire sample. The study concludes that while the experimental results closely approximate real-world soil behaviour under F-T cycles, further research is warranted. Future studies should focus on minimising experimental errors, conducting additional F-T cycles, and improving the simulation of real-world conditions by adopting one-dimensional freezing methods. This research enhances our understanding of soil mechanics, providing valuable insights into the behaviour of granular soils in response to temperature fluctuations. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | ET: Engineering Technology |
| Programme: | Civil Engineering BSc (56952) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/100449 |
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