Numerical simulation study on the force of overwintering foundation support structure of unsaturated seasonal permafrost under indoor experiments

Abstract

When analysing the effect of negative temperature on overwintering pit constructions of unsaturated soil, using the mechanical parameter of saturated soil at room temperature leads to an inaccuracy in the research findings. The strength parameters are obtained through indoor experiments. The foundation pit model is created using FLAC3D numerical simulation software based on the indoor experimental data. The influence of different parameters on the stress and deformation of the overwintering deep foundation pit supporting structure is analysed. The numerical simulation results obtained are compared with the actual monitoring data. According to research, the matric suction of the silty clay in its natural state in the Changchun area is 70 kPa. As the temperature decreases, the total cohesion of the unsaturated soil increases, and the internal friction angle tends to decrease. The numerical simulation results are consistent with the actual monitoring data changes. With the excavation, the horizontal displacement of the supporting structure increases first and then decreases, reaching the maximum displacement at two-thirds of the foundation pit. Compared with room temperature, the deformation of the supporting structure is larger under a negative temperature condition. The deformation of the supporting structure simulated by the actual temperature mechanical parameters is larger than that under the condition of normal temperature mechanical parameters. The frost-heaving force increases with the overall excavation, and a surge occurs at the bottom of the pit. The frost-heaving force changes most significantly under the condition of freezing at −20°C for 30 days.

Keywords

• unsaturated soil
• matric suction
• shear strength
• FLAC3D
• deep foundation pit