A Numerical Model of Vapour Transfer and Phase Change in Unsaturated Freezing Soils

Liang, S; Teng, J; Shan, F; Zhang, S

A Numerical Model of Vapour Transfer and Phase Change in Unsaturated Freezing Soils

Liang, S Teng, J Shan, F

Zhang, S

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Publisher:: Hindawi Limited
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Advances in Civil Engineering, 2020, 2020, pp. 1-11
Issue Date:: 2020-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Liang, S
dc.contributor.author	Teng, J
dc.contributor.author	Shan, F https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7497-6768
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, S
dc.date.accessioned	2021-04-26T04:49:27Z
dc.date.available	2021-04-26T04:49:27Z
dc.date.issued	2020-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Advances in Civil Engineering, 2020, 2020, pp. 1-11
dc.identifier.issn	1687-8086
dc.identifier.issn	1687-8094
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/148371
dc.description.abstract	In recent studies, vapour transfer is reported to lead to remarkable frost heave in unsaturated soils, but how to better model this process has not been answered. In order to avoid the great uncertainty caused by the phase change term of vapour-water-ice in the numerical iteration process, a new numerical model is developed based on the coupled thermal and hydrological processes. The new model avoids using the local equilibrium assumption and the hydraulic relations that accounts for liquid water flow, which provides a new way for the water-heat coupling movement problem. The model is established by using COMSOL Multiphysics, which is a multiphysics simulation software through finite element analysis. The model is evaluated by comparing simulated results with data from column freezing experiments for unsaturated coarse-grained soils. Simulated values of the total water content compare well with experimental values. The model is proved to be applicable and numerically stable for a high-speed railway subgrade involving simultaneous heat and moisture transport. An agreement can be found between the predicted and measured frost/thawed depth and soil moisture profiles, demonstrating that the model is able to simulate rapidly changing boundary conditions and nonlinear water content profiles in the soil.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Hindawi Limited
dc.relation.ispartof	Advances in Civil Engineering
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1155/2020/8874919
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0905 Civil Engineering
dc.title	A Numerical Model of Vapour Transfer and Phase Change in Unsaturated Freezing Soils
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2020
utslib.for	0905 Civil Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-04-26T04:49:26Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	2020

Abstract:

In recent studies, vapour transfer is reported to lead to remarkable frost heave in unsaturated soils, but how to better model this process has not been answered. In order to avoid the great uncertainty caused by the phase change term of vapour-water-ice in the numerical iteration process, a new numerical model is developed based on the coupled thermal and hydrological processes. The new model avoids using the local equilibrium assumption and the hydraulic relations that accounts for liquid water flow, which provides a new way for the water-heat coupling movement problem. The model is established by using COMSOL Multiphysics, which is a multiphysics simulation software through finite element analysis. The model is evaluated by comparing simulated results with data from column freezing experiments for unsaturated coarse-grained soils. Simulated values of the total water content compare well with experimental values. The model is proved to be applicable and numerically stable for a high-speed railway subgrade involving simultaneous heat and moisture transport. An agreement can be found between the predicted and measured frost/thawed depth and soil moisture profiles, demonstrating that the model is able to simulate rapidly changing boundary conditions and nonlinear water content profiles in the soil.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/148371