Mechanical model of frost heave failure for trapezoidal channel lining plates considering the shear effects of frozen soil layers

Abstract

This study aims to address the frost heave failure in concrete-lined channels in cold regions by considering the shear effects of frozen soil layers. Based on the two-parameter elastic foundation plate theory, this paper constructs a frost heave mechanics model for lining plates, incorporating non-uniform normal frost heave forces and tangential freezing forces. Analytical solutions for the deformation and internal forces of the lining plates are obtained, and the model’s accuracy is verified through comparisons with field experiments and existing literature. The results demonstrate that the deflection, internal forces, and stresses of the bottom plate exhibit a uniform distribution. Conversely, the deflection, bending moments, and shear forces of the slope plates, under the action of non-uniform normal frost heave and tangential freezing forces, show a non-uniform distribution. The deflection and internal forces of the lining plates exhibit a non-uniform distribution along the flow direction. Specifically, deflection and bending moments increase at the free boundary, while torque is primarily concentrated at the corners of the lining plates. The peak frost heave displacement decreases by 50% when the groundwater level drops from 1 to 2 m. When the shear modulus of the frozen soil foundatioon increases from 0 to 0.5 MPa, the peak deflection decreases by 14%. These findings provide a theoretical basis for addressing frost heave issues in trapezoidal concrete-lined channels.