Estimating soil freezing characteristic curve based on pore-size distribution

Chong, Wang; Lai, Yuanming; Zhang, Mingyi

doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.06.006

Cited by 92 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Before regression, a cumulative NMR-detected PSD was obtained via the mathematical method (Figure 8). The cumulative distribution was similar to a water retention curve, which was typically characterized via the VG model (van Genuchten, 1980;Wang et al, 2017). In this study, a variant VG model was proposed to achieve a better representation of the cumulative NMR-detected PSD:…”

Section: Modeling Nmr-detected Psdmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Liu and Yu (2013) suggested a bundle of cylindrical capillary (BCC) model extending from the nonfrozen saturated soils to characterize pores of frozen soils. Wang et al (2017) assumed several forms of PSD function, such as constant pore size, pore size varying inversely with r 2 (where r is the pore radius), etc. Bai, Lai, Zhang, and Yu (2018) obtained the PSD according to the proposed relationship between pore radius and freezing point.…”

Section: Core Ideasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The pore water absorbed by soil particles, which refers to the unfrozen water film, remains unfrozen at subfreezing temperatures. Many researchers have adopted the BCC model to investigate the frozen soil's properties such as the freezing point, melting point, and hysteresis of the freeze-thaw cycle via the PSD (Bai et al, 2018;Tian et al, 2014;Wang et al, 2017;Wang, Lai, Yu, & Li, 2018b). Figure 3b illustrates the model proposed in this study, denoted the capillary bundle model, for the establishment of a pore radius transformation equation based on the BCC model.…”

Section: Pore Radius Transformation Equationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterizing the pore size distribution of a chloride silt soil during freeze–thaw processes via nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry

Liu

Yang

et al. 2020

Soil Science Soc of Amer J

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Soil pore size distribution (PSD) is typically used to predict the soil freezing characteristic curve and estimate the hydrological and mechanical properties during freeze-thaw cycles. However, direct measurements of frozen soil PSD remain a great challenge. This study proposed a method to determine the PSD of frozen soils based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry. Tests were performed on a saturated chloride silt soil at different salt contents (0.3, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0%) and temperatures (between-30 and 0 • C) during a freeze-thaw cycle. The NMR-detected PSD (only accounting for pores occupied by unfrozen water) varied with soil temperature, salt content, and freeze-thaw cycle. The sequence of the water-ice phase change and hysteresis were also identified in a freeze-thaw cycle. A regression analysis was performed on the cumulative NMR-detected PSD via a variant van Genuchten model. The critical freezing pore radius and the thickness of unfrozen water film were computed and used to transform NMRdetected PSD into the actual PSD of frozen soils on the basis of a pore radius transformation equation established in this paper. Notably, the actual PSD accounted for pores occupied by ice and unfrozen water. The actual PSD indicated that the water-ice phase change was more pronounced in macro-and mesopores, especially at lower temperatures and salt content. A comparison between the calculated average pore size and those presented in other studies showed that the proposed technique is a valuable alternative for the prediction of actual frozen soil PSD. Abbreviations: κ, uniformity of the cumulative nuclear magnetic resonance-detected pore size distribution curve; BCC, bundle of cylindrical capillary model; MPVC, maximum pore volumetric content; NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance; PSD, pore size distribution; PSDC, pore size distribution curve; PVC, pore volumetric content; r, pore radius; r c , critical pore radius; r MPVC , radius of the maximum pore volumetric; SEM, scanning electron microscopy; T 2 , transverse relaxation time; T mf , water-ice phase change temperature; T s , supercooling temperature; VG, van Genuchten.

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Section: Modeling Nmr-detected Psdmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Core Ideasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Pore Radius Transformation Equationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterizing the pore size distribution of a chloride silt soil during freeze–thaw processes via nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry

Liu

Yang

et al. 2020

Soil Science Soc of Amer J

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“…A significant amount of data is published in the literature following these methods. The second approach focuses on the estimation of SFCC from soil physical properties, or using the similarity between SFCC and SWCC and/or physical and theoretical mechanisms (Anderson and Tice, 1972; Liu and Yu, 2013; Wang et al, 2017; Amiri et al, 2018).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Soil‐Freezing and Soil‐Water Characteristic Curves of Two Canadian Soils

Ren

Vanapalli

2019

Vadose Zone Journal

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Core Ideas The similarity between SFCC and SWCC, and hysteresis of SFCC are reviewed. The SFCC and SWCC of two fine‐grained soils are measured and analyzed. No quantitative similarity is found between the measured SFCC and SWCC. Several concerns regarding the similarity between SFCC and SWCC are discussed. The drying–wetting and freezing–thawing cycles significantly influence the soil pore water in the vadose zone in permafrost and seasonally frozen regions. The soil‐freezing characteristic curve (SFCC) describes the relationship between unfrozen water content and subzero temperature in a soil at frozen condition. Several studies suggest that the SFCC of a frozen saturated soil is similar to soil‐water characteristic curve (SWCC), which describes the relationship between water content and suction for a soil under unfrozen unsaturated condition. In the present study, the similarity between SFCC and SWCC, and possible reasons for the hysteresis of SFCC are succinctly reviewed. The SFCC and SWCC of two Canadian soils were measured and critically interpreted to understand the fundamental behavior of SFCC in comparison with the SWCC. The observed hysteresis of SFCC for the two soils was mainly associated with the supercooling of pore water. The measured SFCC and SWCC of the two soils show quantitative dissimilarity rather than similarity. This may be attributed to the experimental limitations and possible fundamental differences between drying–wetting and freezing–thawing processes. In addition, several concerns regarding the similarity between SFCC and SWCC are discussed. The present study highlights that rigorous investigations are required for better understanding the SFCC to facilitate its use for cold‐region engineering practice applications.

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“…The relationship between liquid water content and temperature, commonly referred to as the soil freezing characteristic curve (SFCC), has been described with empirical functions of various forms including power law (Anderson and Tice, 1972), exponential (Michalowski and Zhu, 2006), piecewise linear (McKenzie et al, 2007), and nonlinear piecewise functions (Kozlowski, 2007). The SFCCs vary depending on the soil type, with differences often related to the soil's specific surface area (Dillon and Andersland, 1966; Anderson and Tice, 1972; Kozlowski, 2007) or the pore size distribution (Liu and Yu, 2013; Wang et al, 2017).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrical Resistivity of a Partially Saturated Porous Medium at Subzero Temperatures

Herring

Cey

Pidlisecky

2019

Vadose Zone Journal

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Core Ideas We collected resistivity data at a range of temperatures and initial saturations. Archie's equation was modified to include temperature dependence below 0°C. Bulk resistivity was used to estimate unfrozen water content and fluid resistivity. At subzero temperatures, unfrozen water content is independent of initial saturation. Ion exclusion from ice explains the dependence of resistivity on initial saturation. Electrical resistivity tomography has been used in many frozen ground applications to delineate frozen and unfrozen areas of the subsurface and monitor changes with time. In these studies, the amount of unfrozen water remaining in the pore space at subzero temperatures is often a parameter of interest. To interpret resistivity data quantitatively in terms of unfrozen water content, it is necessary to establish a relationship between bulk resistivity, subzero temperature, and liquid water saturation. In the literature, a consensus has not been reached on the form of this relationship, and a better understanding of the mechanisms controlling the resistivity of frozen ground is needed. This study used a unique laboratory apparatus to collect electrical resistivity tomography data for a uniform porous medium at temperatures from −20 to 25°C for a range of initial water saturations. Archie's equation was modified to include the effects of temperature above and below 0°C. Resistivity data collected below 0°C were used to estimate temperature‐dependent liquid water saturation and fluid resistivity. The amount of unfrozen water remaining at a given temperature was not related to initial water saturation and was nearly identical for all initial saturations at temperatures below about −5°C. The dependence of resistivity–temperature curves on initial water saturation at subzero temperatures was caused by differences in fluid resistivity as a result of ion exclusion during freezing. The relationships established in this study provide insight into the physical mechanisms that govern the resistivity of porous media at subzero temperatures and a starting point for quantitative analysis of resistivity data collected in frozen ground.

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Estimating soil freezing characteristic curve based on pore-size distribution

Cited by 92 publications

References 25 publications

Characterizing the pore size distribution of a chloride silt soil during freeze–thaw processes via nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry

Characterizing the pore size distribution of a chloride silt soil during freeze–thaw processes via nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry

Comparison of Soil‐Freezing and Soil‐Water Characteristic Curves of Two Canadian Soils

Electrical Resistivity of a Partially Saturated Porous Medium at Subzero Temperatures

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