Multi-field coupling theoretical model for artificial freezing of coastal soils under seepage

A hydro-salt-thermal-mechanical theoretical model for the influences of seepage flow on the artificial freezing process in sand-clay stratum is derived. The influence of momentum conservation of fluid during seepage process is considered by using the Navier-Stokes equation. The good agreement between the results from the theoretical model and laboratory tests in the literature verifies the accuracy of the proposed model. The parametric studies are conducted to investigate the influences of the seepage velocities on the spatial distributions of ice and salinity. It is found that the seepage weakens the freezing effects. With the seepage velocity increases from 0 to 10 m/d, at the left and right sides of the freezing pipe, the soil displacement decreases by 23.1 %. The range of water freezing is reduced by 37.8 %. The range of salt precipitation is reduced by 42.7 %. The mutation position of the adsorbed salt in the upstream of the sand stratum moves by 52 % downstream, and that in the downstream moves downstream by 32 %.