Hydrothermal Coupling Analysis of Frozen Soil Temperature Field in Stage of Pipe Roof Freezing Method

Xin Feng, Jun Hu, Jie Zhou, Shuai Zhang and Ying Wang ()
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Xin Feng: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Jun Hu: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Jie Zhou: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Shuai Zhang: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Ying Wang: Hainan Exploration and Design Institute of Non-Ferrous Engineering, Haikou 570228, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: Taking the Sanya River Mouth Channel project as a case study, this research explores the minimum brine temperature required for the pipe-jacking freezing method during staged freezing. Based on the heat transfer theory of porous media, a three-dimensional model of the actual working conditions was established using COMSOL 6.1 finite element software. By adjusting the brine cooling scheme, the development and distribution patterns of the freezing curtain under different brine temperatures were analyzed. The results indicate that as the staged freezing brine temperature increases, the thickness of the freezing curtain decreases linearly, and the closure of isotherms is inhibited. When the brine temperature is −8 °C, the thickness of the freezing curtain meets the minimum requirement and effectively achieves the freezing effect under both low and high seepage flow conditions. Additionally, seepage significantly affects the formation of the freezing curtain, causing it to shift towards the direction of seepage, with the degree of shift becoming more pronounced as the seepage velocity increases. When the seepage velocity is so high that the thickness of the freezing curtain on one side is less than 2 m, the impact of seepage on the freezing curtain can be reduced by decreasing the hydraulic head difference in the freezing area or by increasing the arrangement of freezing pipes, thereby enhancing the freezing effect.

Keywords: pipe roof freezing; finite element simulation; frozen soil curtain; stage freezing; seepage effect; hydrothermal coupling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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