Nanjing’s determination to transform itself from a production base to a research center reflects China’s evolution toward higher-quality development.A refrigerator that thaws frozen meat in 10 minutes and then keeps...Nanjing’s determination to transform itself from a production base to a research center reflects China’s evolution toward higher-quality development.A refrigerator that thaws frozen meat in 10 minutes and then keeps it fresh,a cooker hood that remains clean even after 10 years without disassembling it for cleaning.展开更多
Understanding the factors triggering slope failure is essential to ensure the safety of buildings and transportation infrastructure on slopes. Specifically,the failure of stabilizing piles due to groundwater migration...Understanding the factors triggering slope failure is essential to ensure the safety of buildings and transportation infrastructure on slopes. Specifically,the failure of stabilizing piles due to groundwater migration and freeze–thaw(FT) cycles is a significant factor causing slope failure. This study aims to investigate the transmedia seepage characteristics at slope–concrete stabilizing pile interface systems by using silty clay and concrete with varying microstructure characteristics under FT cycles. To this end, a self-developed indoor test device for transmedia water migration, combined with a macro-meso-micro multiscale testing approach, was used to analyze the laws and mechanisms of transmedia seepage at the interface systems. The effect of the medium's microstructure characteristics on the transmedia seepage behavior at the interface systems under FT cycles was also assessed. Results indicated that the transmedia water migration exhibited particularity due to the migration of soil particles and the low permeability characteristics of concrete. The water content in the media increased significantly within the range of 1/3–2/3 of the height from the interface for soil and within 5 mm from the interface for concrete.FT cycles promoted the increase and penetration of cracks within the medium, enhancing the permeability of the slope-concrete stabilizing pile interface systems.With the increase in FT cycles, the porosity inside the medium first decreased and then increased, and the porosity reached the minimum after 25 FT cycles and the maximum after 75 FT cycles, and the water content of the medium after water migration was positively correlated with the porosity. FT cycles also significantly influenced the temporal variation characteristics of soil moisture and the migration path of water in concrete. The study results could serve as a reference for related research on slope stability assessment.展开更多
The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau of China faces challenges like thaw slumping,threatening slope stability and infrastructure.Understanding the mechanical properties of the roots of the dominant herbaceous plant species in t...The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau of China faces challenges like thaw slumping,threatening slope stability and infrastructure.Understanding the mechanical properties of the roots of the dominant herbaceous plant species in the alpine meadow layer of the permafrost regions on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is essential for evaluating their role in enhancing soil shear strength and mitigating slope deformation in these fragile environments.In this study,the roots of four dominant herbaceous plant species—Kobresia pygmaea,Kobresia humilis,Carex moorcroftii,and Leontopodium pusillum—that are widely distributed in the permafrost regions of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau were explored to determine their mechanical properties and effects in enhancing soil shear strength.Through indoor single root tensile and root group tensile tests,we determined the root diameter,tensile force,tensile strength,tensile ratio,and strength frequency distributions.We also evaluated their contributions to inhibiting slope deformation and failure during the formation and development of thermal thaw slumps in the alpine meadow.The results showed that the distribution of the root diameter of the dominant plant species is mostly normal,while the tensile strength tends to be logarithmically normally distributed.The relationship between the root diameter and root tensile strength conforms to a power function.The theoretical tensile strength of the root group was calculated using the Wu-Waldron Model(WWM)and the Fiber Bundle Model(FBM)under the assumption that the cumulative single tensile strength of the root bundle is identical to the tensile strength of the root group in the WWM.The FBM considers three fracture modes:FBM-D(the tensile force on each single root is proportional to its diameter relative to the total sum of all the root diameters),FBM-S(the cross-sectional stress in the root bundle is uniform),and FBM-N(each tensile strength test of individual roots experiences an equal load).It was found that the model-calculated tensile strength of the root group was 162.60%higher than the test value.The model-derived tensile force of the root group from the FBM-D,FBM-S,and FBM-N was 73.10%,28.91%,and 13.47%higher than the test values,respectively.The additional cohesion of the soil provided by the roots was calculated to be 25.90-45.06 kPa using the modified WWM,67.05-38.15 kPa using the FBM-S,and 57.24-32.74 kPa using the FBM-N.These results not only provide a theoretical basis for further quantitative evaluation of the mechanical effects of the root systems of herbaceous plant species in reinforcing the surface soil but also have practical significance for the effective prevention and control of thermal thaw slumping disasters in the permafrost regions containing native alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau using flexible plant protection measures.展开更多
During the thawing process of a railway subgrade,bidirectional thawing complicates water-heat transfer,leading to serious thaw settlement issues under train loads.Focusing on the severely frozen section of the Shuozho...During the thawing process of a railway subgrade,bidirectional thawing complicates water-heat transfer,leading to serious thaw settlement issues under train loads.Focusing on the severely frozen section of the Shuozhou-Huanghua port heavy-haul railway,this study conducted indoor soil-column laterally-limited compression tests on thawing fine-grained soil specimens to analyze the cumulative deformation during thawing.The deformation evolution was examined from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives.The test results revealed a sig-nificant increase in the water content at the frozen interlayer during thawing,with minimal thaw settlement under no-load conditions.However,under dynamic loads,the thawing soil exhibited rapid settlement during the initial stages of the process.Increasing the dynamic load amplitude did not result in significant additional thaw settlement compression.Particle image velocimetry revealed substantial thaw settlement and compression at the top of thawing soil.Microscopically,the porosity at the top of the specimens significantly decreased,whereas the porosity in the frozen interlayer remained largely unchanged.Under dynamic loading,the specimens exhibited a concentrated distribution of large pores with scattered smaller pores.The phase change from ice to water,combined with dynamic loading,induced particle movement and expanded the inter-particle pore space,leading to macroscopic thaw settlement and soil compression.The findings can provide a theoretical foundation for maintaining and ensuring the safety of railway subgrades in cold regions.展开更多
Liquid nitrogen(LN_(2))fracturing has been studied widely in coal-bed methane(CBM)stimulation.Nevertheless,the thawing effect on the frozen coal has been rarely considered.The thawing behaviors of the frozen coal by m...Liquid nitrogen(LN_(2))fracturing has been studied widely in coal-bed methane(CBM)stimulation.Nevertheless,the thawing effect on the frozen coal has been rarely considered.The thawing behaviors of the frozen coal by microwave were researched using nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),ultrasonic wave,and infrared thermal imaging.The evolution of the pore structure,temperature,water content,and surface cracks of the coal samples treated by freezing and thawing is discussed.NMR results illustrate that microwave thawing not only improves coalʼs permeability by increasing seepage pores but also removes the water from the coal.On the contrary,air thawing treatment increases the moisture of the coal sample.The losing-water rate of the samples thawed at high power is smaller than that of samples thawed at low power.The microwave thawing treatments generate cracks and reduce the wave velocity of the coal samples,and higher thawing power on the frozen is in more favor of forming macro-cracks under the same input energy.Therefore,microwave thawing on frozen coal can eliminate water blocking damage and provide the flow space for the gas.The study analyzed the feasibility of microwave thawing on the frozen coal and provided a reference method for CBM production.展开更多
The thawing of ice-rich permafrost leads to the formation of thermokarst landforms.Precise mapping of retrogressive thaw slumps(RTSs)is imperative for assessing the degradation and carbon exchange of permafrost at bot...The thawing of ice-rich permafrost leads to the formation of thermokarst landforms.Precise mapping of retrogressive thaw slumps(RTSs)is imperative for assessing the degradation and carbon exchange of permafrost at both local and regional scales on the Tibetan Plateau(TP).However,previous methods for RTSs mapping rely on a large number of samples and complex classifiers with low automation level or unnecessary complexity.We propose an automatic mapping network(AmRTSNet)for producing decimeter-level RTSs maps from GaoFen-7 images based on deep learning.Both the quantitative metrics and qualitative evaluations show that AmRTSNet trained in the Beiluhe offers significant advantages over previous methods.Without further fine-tuning,we conducted RTSs automatic mapping based on AmRTSNet in the Wulanwula,Chumarhe,and Gaolinggo.Over 141,312 ha on the TP have been automatically mapped,comprising 926 RTS regions with a total RTS area of 2318.72 ha.The average statistics of the mapped RTSs show low roundness(0.38),moderate rectangularity(0.61),and high convexity(0.79).About 90%of the RTSs are smaller than 6 ha.The average aspect ratio is 2.18.RTSs are unevenly distributed in belt-like aggregations with dominant density peaks.RTSs often concentrate in hillslopes and along lateral streams,with more dense areas more likely to have larger RTSs.展开更多
The pile-plate structure has proven highly effective support for high-speed railway subgrades,particularly in poor geological conditions.Although its efficacy in non-frozen regions is well-established,its potential in...The pile-plate structure has proven highly effective support for high-speed railway subgrades,particularly in poor geological conditions.Although its efficacy in non-frozen regions is well-established,its potential in frozen regions remains underexplored.In seasonally frozen areas,F-T(freeze-thaw)cycles threaten subgrade stability,necessitating research on pile-plate structure’s behavior under such conditions.To address this challenge,a scaled model experiment was conducted on a silty sand foundation,simulating F-T cycles using temperature control devices.Key parameters,including soil temperature,frozen depth,and displacement,were systematically monitored.Results indicate that the bearing plate functions as an effective insulation layer,significantly reducing sub-zero temperature penetration.Additionally,the anchoring action of the piles mitigates frost heave in the foundation soil,while the plate middle restrains soil deformation more effectively due to increased constraint.The thermal insulation provided by the plate maintains higher soil temperatures,delaying the onset of freezing.By the end of each freezing stage,the vertical displacement in the natural subgrade is approximately 4 times greater than that beneath the pile-plate structure.Furthermore,the frost depth is about 1.3-1.4 times and 1.6-4.9 times greater than that measured below the plate edge and middle,respectively.These insights contribute to the development of more resilient designs for high-speed railway subgrades in seasonally frozen regions,offering engineers a robust,scientifically-backed foundation for future infrastructure projects.展开更多
The freeze-thaw(FT)behavior of porous materials(PMs)involves the coupling of the thermo-hydromechanical(THM)processes and is significantly influenced by the microstructure.However,modeling FT in unsaturated PMs remain...The freeze-thaw(FT)behavior of porous materials(PMs)involves the coupling of the thermo-hydromechanical(THM)processes and is significantly influenced by the microstructure.However,modeling FT in unsaturated PMs remains an open issue,and the influence of microstructure is not yet fully understood.To address these challenges,we propose a THM model for FT in PMs that considers microstructure and variable air content.In this work,a non-equilibrium thermodynamic approach is proposed to capture ice formation/melting,the microstructure is accounted for utilizing micromechanics,and the FT processes in air-entrained PMs are formulated within the proposed THM model.This model incorporates variable air void characteristics,e.g.air content,spacing factor,specific surface area,and supercooled water-filled regimes,and distinguishes the roles of air voids between freezing and thawing.The FT behaviors,including deformation,ice formation/melting,spacing factor,and pore water pressure evolutions,are focused.Comparisons with experimental results,confirm the capability of the present model.The results demonstrate the effects of variable air voids on the FT behavior of air-entrained PMs.The findings reveal that assuming fixed air void characteristics can lead to underestimation of pore pressure and deformation,particularly at low air content.Additionally,air voids act as cryo-pumps during freezing and when the cooling temperature stabilizes.During thawing,air voids supply gas to the melting sites(i.e.“gas escape”),preventing further significant deformation reduction.These results can provide novel insights for understanding the frost damage of PMs.展开更多
Freezing–thawing indices serve as a comprehensive indicator of both the duration of the freezing/thawing periods and the degree of cold and heat in a given region.In-depth analysis of the freezing-thawing indices not...Freezing–thawing indices serve as a comprehensive indicator of both the duration of the freezing/thawing periods and the degree of cold and heat in a given region.In-depth analysis of the freezing-thawing indices not only enables the prediction of permafrost distribution and its dynamic changes,but also facilitates the assessment of damage risk to infrastructure under freeze-thaw action.In this paper,the air/ground freezing–thawing indices from 1987 to 2017,based on daily temperature observations from meteorological stations along the China–Nepal Highway(CNH),were calculated,and their spatial and temporal variation patterns were analyzed.The results showed that:(1)Both mean annual air temperature and mean annual ground surface temperature along the CNH fluctuated upward,with climate tendency rates of 0.43 and 0.52.C·(10a)~(-1),respectively;(2)The number of days with negative air temperature and ground temperature showed fluctuated downward,with change rates of-8.6 and-8.3 d·(10a)~(-1),respectively;(3)The ranges of air freezing index,air thawing index,ground freezing index,and ground thawing index over the years were 157.05-458.88°C·d,2034.20-2560.73°C·d,108.78-396.83°C·d,and 3515.25-4288.67°C·d,respectively.The climate tendency rates were-5.42,10.22,-6.79,and 12.14.C·d·a-1,respectively,showing a general warming trend;(4)The air freezing index,ground freezing index,and ground thawing index changed abruptly in 1999,2000,and 2002,respectively,evincing significant changes after 2002.The research results can provide a basis for the risk assessment of freezing–thawing erosion and the prevention and control of permafrost engineering diseases along the CNH.展开更多
Zonag, Kusai, Hedin Noel and Yanhu Lakes are independent inland lakes in the Hoh Xil region on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In September2011, Zonag Lake burst after the water level had increased for many years. Floods f...Zonag, Kusai, Hedin Noel and Yanhu Lakes are independent inland lakes in the Hoh Xil region on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In September2011, Zonag Lake burst after the water level had increased for many years. Floods flowed through Kusai and Hedin Noel Lakes into Yanhu Lake; since then, the four small endorheic catchments merged into one larger catchment. This hydrological process caused the rapid shrinkage of Zonag Lake and continuous expansion of Yanhu Lake. In this study,based on satellite images, meteorological data and field investigations, we examined the dynamic changes in the four lakes and analyzed the influencing factors. The results showed that before 2011, the trends in the four lake areas were similar and displayed several stages. The change in the area of Zonag Lake corresponded well to the change in annual precipitation(AP), but the magnitude of the change was less than that of a non-glacier-fed lake. Although increased precipitation was the dominant factor that caused Zonag Lake to expand, increased glacier melting and permafrost thawing due to climate warming also had significant effects. After the 2011 outburst of Zonag Lake, due to the increasing AP and accelerating glacier melting, the increases in water volume of the three lakes were absorbed by Yanhu Lake, and Yanhu Lake expanded considerably. According to the rapid growth rates in water level and lake area, Yanhu Lake is likely to burst in 1-2 years.展开更多
Seasonal development of soil microbial activity and bacterial biomass in sub-polar regions was investigated to determine the impacts of biotic and abiotic factors, such as organic matter content, temperature and moist...Seasonal development of soil microbial activity and bacterial biomass in sub-polar regions was investigated to determine the impacts of biotic and abiotic factors, such as organic matter content, temperature and moisture. The study was performed during spring thaw from three cultivated meadows and two non-cultivated forest sites near Alta, in northern Norway. Samples from all five sites showed increasing respiration rates directly after the spring thaw with soil respiration activity best related to soil organic matter content. However, distributions of bacterial biomass showed fewer similarities to these two parameters. This could be explained by variations of litter exploitation through the biomass. Microbial activity started immediately after the thaw while root growth had a longer time lag. An influence of root development on soil microbes was proposed for sites where microorganisms and roots had a tight relationship caused by a more intensive root structure. Also a reduction of microbial activity due to soil compaction in the samples from a wheel track could not be observed under laboratory conditions. New methodological approaches of differential staining for live and dead organisms were applied in order to follow changes within the microbial community. Under laboratory conditions freeze and thaw cycles showed a damaging influence on parts of the soil bacteria. Additionally, different patterns for active vs. non-active bacteria were noticeable after freeze-thaw cycles.展开更多
Compacted loess is widely used as fills of road embankments in loess regions of northern China.Generally, densely-compacted loess can satisfy the requirements of embankment strength and postconstruction deformation. H...Compacted loess is widely used as fills of road embankments in loess regions of northern China.Generally, densely-compacted loess can satisfy the requirements of embankment strength and postconstruction deformation. However, uneven subsidence, pavement cracks and other related damages can affect the integrity of loess subgrade after several years of operation,and even cause some hazards, especially in North China, where the strong freeze-thaw erosion occurs. In this study, cyclic freeze-thaw tests for both densely and loosely compacted loess samples were performed to determine the variation in engineering properties such as volume, void ratio, collapsible settlement,microstructure, and the related mechanisms were addressed. The experimental results showed that an obvious water migration and redistribution occurred within the samples during freeze-thaw cycles. Ice lenses and fissures could be identified in the upper frozen layers of the samples. After freeze-thaw cycles,the dry densities of the upper layers of samples changed significantly due to strong freeze-thaw erosion. The dry densities decreased for the dense sample and increased for the loose sample. It can be found that dense samples become loose, while loose samples became dense with the increasing number of freeze-thaw cycles. Their related void ratios changed reversely. Both void ratios tended to fall into a certain range, which verified the concept of a residual void ratio proposed by Viklander. The loosening process of densely compacted samples involves the formation of large pores, volume increase and density reduction as well as the related changes in mechanical properties because freeze-thaw cycles may be important contribution to problems of loess road embankments.Adverse effects of freeze-thaw cycles, therefore,should be taken into account in selecting loess parameters for the stability evaluation of road embankment in seasonally frozen ground regions.展开更多
Extreme freeze-thaw action occurs on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau due to its unique climate resulting from high elevation and cold temperature.This action causes damage to the surface soil structure, as soil erosion in t...Extreme freeze-thaw action occurs on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau due to its unique climate resulting from high elevation and cold temperature.This action causes damage to the surface soil structure, as soil erosion in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is dominated by freeze-thaw erosion.In this research,freezing–thawing process of the soil samples collected from the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau was carried out by laboratory experiments to determinate the volume variation of soil as well as physical and mechanical properties, such as porosity, granularity and uniaxial compressive strength, after the soil experiences various freeze–thaw cycles.Results show that cohesion and uniaxial compressive strength decreased as the volume and porosity of the soil increased after experiencing various freeze–thaw cycles, especially in the first six freeze–thaw cycles.Consequently, the physical and mechanical properties of the soil were altered.However, granularity and internal friction angle did not vary significantly with an increase in the freeze–thaw cycle.The structural damage among soil particles due to frozen water expansion was the major cause of changes in soil mechanical behavior in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.展开更多
Freezing and thawing indices are not only of great significance for permafrost research but also are important indicators of the effects of climate change.However,to date,research on ground-surface freezing and thawin...Freezing and thawing indices are not only of great significance for permafrost research but also are important indicators of the effects of climate change.However,to date,research on ground-surface freezing and thawing indices and their relationship with air indices is limited.Based on daily air and ground-surface temperatures collected from 11 meteorological stations in the source region of the Yellow River,the freezing and thawing indices were calculated,and their spatial distribution and trends were analyzed.The air-freezing index(AFI),air-thawing index(ATI),ground surface-freezing index(GFI),ground surface-thawing index(GTI),air thawing-freezing index ratio(Na)and surface ground thawing-freezing index ratio(Ng)were 1554.64,1153.93,1.55,2484.85,850.57℃-days and 3.44,respectively.Altitude affected the spatial distribution of the freezing and thawing indices.As the altitude increased,the freezing indices gradually increased,and the thawing indices and thawing-freezing index ratio decreased.From 1980 to 2014,the AFI and GFI decreased at rates of 8.61 and 11.06℃-days a^(-1),the ATI and GTI increased at 9.65 and 14.53℃-days a^(-1),and Na and Ng significantly increased at 0.21 and 0.79 decade^(-1).Changes in the freezing and thawing indices were associated with increases in the air and ground-surface temperatures.The rates of change of the ground surface freezing and thawing indices were faster than the air ones because the rate of increase of the groundsurface temperature was faster than that of the air and the difference between the ground surface and air increased.The change point of the time series of freezing and thawing indices occurred in 2000–2001.After 2000–2001,the AFI and GFI were lower than before the change point,and the changing trend was lower.The ATI,GTI,Na and Ng during 2001–2014 were higher,with faster rates than before.In addition,the annual thawing indices composed a greater proportion of the mean annual air temperature and mean annual ground surface temperature than the annual freezing indices.This study provides the necessary basis for research on and prediction of permafrost changes,especially changes in the depth of the active permafrost layer,climate change,and possible evolution of the ecological environment over the source region of the Yellow River on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.展开更多
Annual freezing and thawing index of 7 meteorological stations along the Qing- hai-Xizang Railway were calculated based on daily maximum and minimum temperature records for 1966-2004. Trends of annual freezing and tha...Annual freezing and thawing index of 7 meteorological stations along the Qing- hai-Xizang Railway were calculated based on daily maximum and minimum temperature records for 1966-2004. Trends of annual freezing and thawing index were analyzed using the Mann-Kendall test and a simple linear regression method. The results show that： 1） The mean annual freezing indices range from 95 to 2300℃·d and the mean annual thawing indices range from 630 to 3250℃·d. The mean annual freezing index of the 7 stations exhibited decreasing trends with decreasing rate of -16.6- -59.1 ℃·d/10a. The mean annual thawing index of these 7 stations showed increasing trends with the related decreasing rate is 19.83-45.6℃·d/10a. 2） The MK trend test indicated the significant decreasing trends （significant at 〈 0.05 significant level） in the annual freezing index for most stations except for Golmud. The significant increasing trends can be observed in the annual thawing index for 4 stations except Golmud and Tuotuohe. Golmud was the only station with no trends in both annual freezing and annual thawing index.展开更多
The impact of the anomalous thawing of frozen soil in the late spring on the summer precipitation in China and its possible mechanism are analyzed in the context of the frozen soil thawing date data of the 50 meteorol...The impact of the anomalous thawing of frozen soil in the late spring on the summer precipitation in China and its possible mechanism are analyzed in the context of the frozen soil thawing date data of the 50 meteorological stations in the Tibetan Plateau, and the NCEP/NCAR monthly average reanalysis data. Results show that the thawing dates of the Tibetan Plateau gradually become earlier from 1980 to 1999, which is consistent with the trend of global warming in the 20th century. Because differences in the thermal capacity and conductivity between frozen and unfrozen soils are larger, changes in the freezing/thawing process of soil may change the physical properties of the underlying surface, thus affecting exchanges of sensible and latent heat between the ground surface and air. The thermal state change of the plateau ground surface must lead to the thermal anomalies of the atmosphere over and around the plateau, and then further to the anomalies of the general atmospheric circulation. A possible mechanism for the impact of the thawing of the plateau on summer (July) precipitation may be as follows. When the frozen soil thaws early (late) in the plateau, the thermal capacity of the ground surface is large (small), and the thermal conductivity is small (large), therefore, the thermal exchanges between the ground surface and the air are weak (strong). The small (large) ground surface sensible and latent heat fluxes lead to a weak (strong) South Asian high, a weak (strong) West Pacific subtropical high and a little to south (north) of its normal position. Correspondingly, the ascending motion is strengthened (weakened) and precipitation increases (decreases) in South China, while in the middle and lower reaches of the Changjiang River, the ascending motion and precipitation show the opposite trend.展开更多
Although the dynamic properties of subgrade soils in seasonally frozen areas have already been studied, few researchers have considered the influence of shallow groundwater during the freeze–thaw(F–T) cycles. So a m...Although the dynamic properties of subgrade soils in seasonally frozen areas have already been studied, few researchers have considered the influence of shallow groundwater during the freeze–thaw(F–T) cycles. So a multifunctional F–T cycle system was developed to imitate the groundwater recharge in the subgrade during the freezing process and a large number of dynamic triaxial experiments were conducted after the F–T cycles. Some significant factors including the F–T cycle number, compaction degree, confining pressure, cyclic deviator stress, loading frequency, and water content were investigated for the resilient modulus of soils. The experimental results indicated that the dynamic resilient modulus of the subgrade was negatively correlated with the cyclic deviator stress, F–T cycle number, and initial water content, whereas the degree of compaction, confining pressure, and loading frequency could enhance the resilient modulus. Furthermore, a modified model considering the F–T cycle number and stress state was established to predict the dynamic resilient modulus. The calculated results of this modified model were very close to the experimental results. Consequently, calculation of the resilient modulus for F–T cycles considering the dynamic load was appropriate. This study provides reference for research focusing on F–T cycles with groundwater supply and the dynamic resilient moduli of subgrade soils in seasonally frozen areas.展开更多
At subzero temperature, the startup capability and performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) deteriorates markedly. The object of this work is to study the degradation mechanism of key components o...At subzero temperature, the startup capability and performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) deteriorates markedly. The object of this work is to study the degradation mechanism of key components of PEMFC-membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) and seek feasible measures to avoid degradation. The effect of freeze/thaw cycles on the structure of MEA is investigated based on porosity and SEM measurement. The performance of a single cell was also tested before and after repetitious freeze/thaw cycles. The experimental results indicated that the performance of a PEMFC decreased along with the total operating time as well as the pore size distribution shifting and micro configuration changing. However, when the redundant water had been removed by gas purging, the performance of the PEMFC stack was almost resumed when it experienced again the same subzero temperature test. These results show that it is necessary to remove the water in PEMFCs to maintain stable performance under subzero temperature and gas purging is proved to be the effective operation.展开更多
Mechanical behaviors of UHTCC after freezing and thawing were investigated,and compared with those of steel fiber reinforced concrete（SFRC）,air-entrained concrete（AEC） and ordinary concrete（OC）.Four point bendin...Mechanical behaviors of UHTCC after freezing and thawing were investigated,and compared with those of steel fiber reinforced concrete（SFRC）,air-entrained concrete（AEC） and ordinary concrete（OC）.Four point bending tests had been applied after different freezing-thawing cycles（0,50,100,150,200 and 300 cycles,respectively）.The results showed that residual flexural strength of UHTCC after 300 freezing-thawing cycles was 10.62 MPa（70% of no freezing thawing ones）,while 1.58 MPa（17% of no freezing thawing ones） for SFRC.Flexural toughness of UHTCC decreased by 17%,while 70% for SFRC comparatively.It has been demonstrated experimentally that UHTCC without any air-entraining agent could resist freezing-thawing and retain its high toughness characteristic in cold environment.Consequently,UHTCC could be put into practice for new-built or retrofit of infrastructures in cold regions.展开更多
文摘Nanjing’s determination to transform itself from a production base to a research center reflects China’s evolution toward higher-quality development.A refrigerator that thaws frozen meat in 10 minutes and then keeps it fresh,a cooker hood that remains clean even after 10 years without disassembling it for cleaning.
基金financially supported by Jilin Provincial Natural Science Foundation (No.20220101164JC)。
文摘Understanding the factors triggering slope failure is essential to ensure the safety of buildings and transportation infrastructure on slopes. Specifically,the failure of stabilizing piles due to groundwater migration and freeze–thaw(FT) cycles is a significant factor causing slope failure. This study aims to investigate the transmedia seepage characteristics at slope–concrete stabilizing pile interface systems by using silty clay and concrete with varying microstructure characteristics under FT cycles. To this end, a self-developed indoor test device for transmedia water migration, combined with a macro-meso-micro multiscale testing approach, was used to analyze the laws and mechanisms of transmedia seepage at the interface systems. The effect of the medium's microstructure characteristics on the transmedia seepage behavior at the interface systems under FT cycles was also assessed. Results indicated that the transmedia water migration exhibited particularity due to the migration of soil particles and the low permeability characteristics of concrete. The water content in the media increased significantly within the range of 1/3–2/3 of the height from the interface for soil and within 5 mm from the interface for concrete.FT cycles promoted the increase and penetration of cracks within the medium, enhancing the permeability of the slope-concrete stabilizing pile interface systems.With the increase in FT cycles, the porosity inside the medium first decreased and then increased, and the porosity reached the minimum after 25 FT cycles and the maximum after 75 FT cycles, and the water content of the medium after water migration was positively correlated with the porosity. FT cycles also significantly influenced the temporal variation characteristics of soil moisture and the migration path of water in concrete. The study results could serve as a reference for related research on slope stability assessment.
基金supported by the Qinghai Science and Technology Department Project(2025-QY-225)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42267024)the Second Comprehensive Scientific Investigation and Research Project of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau(2019QZKK0905).
文摘The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau of China faces challenges like thaw slumping,threatening slope stability and infrastructure.Understanding the mechanical properties of the roots of the dominant herbaceous plant species in the alpine meadow layer of the permafrost regions on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is essential for evaluating their role in enhancing soil shear strength and mitigating slope deformation in these fragile environments.In this study,the roots of four dominant herbaceous plant species—Kobresia pygmaea,Kobresia humilis,Carex moorcroftii,and Leontopodium pusillum—that are widely distributed in the permafrost regions of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau were explored to determine their mechanical properties and effects in enhancing soil shear strength.Through indoor single root tensile and root group tensile tests,we determined the root diameter,tensile force,tensile strength,tensile ratio,and strength frequency distributions.We also evaluated their contributions to inhibiting slope deformation and failure during the formation and development of thermal thaw slumps in the alpine meadow.The results showed that the distribution of the root diameter of the dominant plant species is mostly normal,while the tensile strength tends to be logarithmically normally distributed.The relationship between the root diameter and root tensile strength conforms to a power function.The theoretical tensile strength of the root group was calculated using the Wu-Waldron Model(WWM)and the Fiber Bundle Model(FBM)under the assumption that the cumulative single tensile strength of the root bundle is identical to the tensile strength of the root group in the WWM.The FBM considers three fracture modes:FBM-D(the tensile force on each single root is proportional to its diameter relative to the total sum of all the root diameters),FBM-S(the cross-sectional stress in the root bundle is uniform),and FBM-N(each tensile strength test of individual roots experiences an equal load).It was found that the model-calculated tensile strength of the root group was 162.60%higher than the test value.The model-derived tensile force of the root group from the FBM-D,FBM-S,and FBM-N was 73.10%,28.91%,and 13.47%higher than the test values,respectively.The additional cohesion of the soil provided by the roots was calculated to be 25.90-45.06 kPa using the modified WWM,67.05-38.15 kPa using the FBM-S,and 57.24-32.74 kPa using the FBM-N.These results not only provide a theoretical basis for further quantitative evaluation of the mechanical effects of the root systems of herbaceous plant species in reinforcing the surface soil but also have practical significance for the effective prevention and control of thermal thaw slumping disasters in the permafrost regions containing native alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau using flexible plant protection measures.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(Nos.52078312,52478461,and 52408379)the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province(E2024210134)+2 种基金the Innovative Research Group Project of the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province(Grant No.E2021210099)CCCC Science and Technology R&D Project(Grant No.2021-ZJKJ-01)the S&T Program of Hebei(Grant No.225A0802D).
文摘During the thawing process of a railway subgrade,bidirectional thawing complicates water-heat transfer,leading to serious thaw settlement issues under train loads.Focusing on the severely frozen section of the Shuozhou-Huanghua port heavy-haul railway,this study conducted indoor soil-column laterally-limited compression tests on thawing fine-grained soil specimens to analyze the cumulative deformation during thawing.The deformation evolution was examined from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives.The test results revealed a sig-nificant increase in the water content at the frozen interlayer during thawing,with minimal thaw settlement under no-load conditions.However,under dynamic loads,the thawing soil exhibited rapid settlement during the initial stages of the process.Increasing the dynamic load amplitude did not result in significant additional thaw settlement compression.Particle image velocimetry revealed substantial thaw settlement and compression at the top of thawing soil.Microscopically,the porosity at the top of the specimens significantly decreased,whereas the porosity in the frozen interlayer remained largely unchanged.Under dynamic loading,the specimens exhibited a concentrated distribution of large pores with scattered smaller pores.The phase change from ice to water,combined with dynamic loading,induced particle movement and expanded the inter-particle pore space,leading to macroscopic thaw settlement and soil compression.The findings can provide a theoretical foundation for maintaining and ensuring the safety of railway subgrades in cold regions.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(52264006,52004072,52064006,and 52164001)the Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Foundation([2020]4Y044,[2021]292,[2021]N404,and GCC[2022]005–1)Youth Science and technology Talents Development Project of Guizhou Ordinary colleges and universities([2022]140).
文摘Liquid nitrogen(LN_(2))fracturing has been studied widely in coal-bed methane(CBM)stimulation.Nevertheless,the thawing effect on the frozen coal has been rarely considered.The thawing behaviors of the frozen coal by microwave were researched using nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),ultrasonic wave,and infrared thermal imaging.The evolution of the pore structure,temperature,water content,and surface cracks of the coal samples treated by freezing and thawing is discussed.NMR results illustrate that microwave thawing not only improves coalʼs permeability by increasing seepage pores but also removes the water from the coal.On the contrary,air thawing treatment increases the moisture of the coal sample.The losing-water rate of the samples thawed at high power is smaller than that of samples thawed at low power.The microwave thawing treatments generate cracks and reduce the wave velocity of the coal samples,and higher thawing power on the frozen is in more favor of forming macro-cracks under the same input energy.Therefore,microwave thawing on frozen coal can eliminate water blocking damage and provide the flow space for the gas.The study analyzed the feasibility of microwave thawing on the frozen coal and provided a reference method for CBM production.
基金The Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research,No.2022QZKK0101National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.42271427。
文摘The thawing of ice-rich permafrost leads to the formation of thermokarst landforms.Precise mapping of retrogressive thaw slumps(RTSs)is imperative for assessing the degradation and carbon exchange of permafrost at both local and regional scales on the Tibetan Plateau(TP).However,previous methods for RTSs mapping rely on a large number of samples and complex classifiers with low automation level or unnecessary complexity.We propose an automatic mapping network(AmRTSNet)for producing decimeter-level RTSs maps from GaoFen-7 images based on deep learning.Both the quantitative metrics and qualitative evaluations show that AmRTSNet trained in the Beiluhe offers significant advantages over previous methods.Without further fine-tuning,we conducted RTSs automatic mapping based on AmRTSNet in the Wulanwula,Chumarhe,and Gaolinggo.Over 141,312 ha on the TP have been automatically mapped,comprising 926 RTS regions with a total RTS area of 2318.72 ha.The average statistics of the mapped RTSs show low roundness(0.38),moderate rectangularity(0.61),and high convexity(0.79).About 90%of the RTSs are smaller than 6 ha.The average aspect ratio is 2.18.RTSs are unevenly distributed in belt-like aggregations with dominant density peaks.RTSs often concentrate in hillslopes and along lateral streams,with more dense areas more likely to have larger RTSs.
基金The authors express their gratitude to the financial support from National Key R&D Program of China(No.2023YFB2604001)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52478475,No.52378463 and No.52168066).
文摘The pile-plate structure has proven highly effective support for high-speed railway subgrades,particularly in poor geological conditions.Although its efficacy in non-frozen regions is well-established,its potential in frozen regions remains underexplored.In seasonally frozen areas,F-T(freeze-thaw)cycles threaten subgrade stability,necessitating research on pile-plate structure’s behavior under such conditions.To address this challenge,a scaled model experiment was conducted on a silty sand foundation,simulating F-T cycles using temperature control devices.Key parameters,including soil temperature,frozen depth,and displacement,were systematically monitored.Results indicate that the bearing plate functions as an effective insulation layer,significantly reducing sub-zero temperature penetration.Additionally,the anchoring action of the piles mitigates frost heave in the foundation soil,while the plate middle restrains soil deformation more effectively due to increased constraint.The thermal insulation provided by the plate maintains higher soil temperatures,delaying the onset of freezing.By the end of each freezing stage,the vertical displacement in the natural subgrade is approximately 4 times greater than that beneath the pile-plate structure.Furthermore,the frost depth is about 1.3-1.4 times and 1.6-4.9 times greater than that measured below the plate edge and middle,respectively.These insights contribute to the development of more resilient designs for high-speed railway subgrades in seasonally frozen regions,offering engineers a robust,scientifically-backed foundation for future infrastructure projects.
基金the funding support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52350004 and 51925903).
文摘The freeze-thaw(FT)behavior of porous materials(PMs)involves the coupling of the thermo-hydromechanical(THM)processes and is significantly influenced by the microstructure.However,modeling FT in unsaturated PMs remains an open issue,and the influence of microstructure is not yet fully understood.To address these challenges,we propose a THM model for FT in PMs that considers microstructure and variable air content.In this work,a non-equilibrium thermodynamic approach is proposed to capture ice formation/melting,the microstructure is accounted for utilizing micromechanics,and the FT processes in air-entrained PMs are formulated within the proposed THM model.This model incorporates variable air void characteristics,e.g.air content,spacing factor,specific surface area,and supercooled water-filled regimes,and distinguishes the roles of air voids between freezing and thawing.The FT behaviors,including deformation,ice formation/melting,spacing factor,and pore water pressure evolutions,are focused.Comparisons with experimental results,confirm the capability of the present model.The results demonstrate the effects of variable air voids on the FT behavior of air-entrained PMs.The findings reveal that assuming fixed air void characteristics can lead to underestimation of pore pressure and deformation,particularly at low air content.Additionally,air voids act as cryo-pumps during freezing and when the cooling temperature stabilizes.During thawing,air voids supply gas to the melting sites(i.e.“gas escape”),preventing further significant deformation reduction.These results can provide novel insights for understanding the frost damage of PMs.
基金supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(STEP)(Grant No.2021QZKK0202)Shaanxi Provincial Youth Science and Technology Rising Star Project(No.2022KJXX-85)+3 种基金Key Scientific Research Project of Shaanxi Provincial Department of Education(No.22JS041)Youth Innovation Team Research Project of Shaanxi Provincial Department of Education(Nos.22JP099,21JP137)The Youth Innovation Team of Shaanxi Universitiesthe Support Program for Outstanding Young Talents of Shaanxi Universities(Dr.Tao Luo)。
文摘Freezing–thawing indices serve as a comprehensive indicator of both the duration of the freezing/thawing periods and the degree of cold and heat in a given region.In-depth analysis of the freezing-thawing indices not only enables the prediction of permafrost distribution and its dynamic changes,but also facilitates the assessment of damage risk to infrastructure under freeze-thaw action.In this paper,the air/ground freezing–thawing indices from 1987 to 2017,based on daily temperature observations from meteorological stations along the China–Nepal Highway(CNH),were calculated,and their spatial and temporal variation patterns were analyzed.The results showed that:(1)Both mean annual air temperature and mean annual ground surface temperature along the CNH fluctuated upward,with climate tendency rates of 0.43 and 0.52.C·(10a)~(-1),respectively;(2)The number of days with negative air temperature and ground temperature showed fluctuated downward,with change rates of-8.6 and-8.3 d·(10a)~(-1),respectively;(3)The ranges of air freezing index,air thawing index,ground freezing index,and ground thawing index over the years were 157.05-458.88°C·d,2034.20-2560.73°C·d,108.78-396.83°C·d,and 3515.25-4288.67°C·d,respectively.The climate tendency rates were-5.42,10.22,-6.79,and 12.14.C·d·a-1,respectively,showing a general warming trend;(4)The air freezing index,ground freezing index,and ground thawing index changed abruptly in 1999,2000,and 2002,respectively,evincing significant changes after 2002.The research results can provide a basis for the risk assessment of freezing–thawing erosion and the prevention and control of permafrost engineering diseases along the CNH.
基金supported by the Science and Technology Project of Ecological Civilization Construction of Beautiful China (No. XDA23060703)the Hundred Talents Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. 51Y551831)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41671068, 41571075)the State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences (No. SKLCS-ZZ2019)
文摘Zonag, Kusai, Hedin Noel and Yanhu Lakes are independent inland lakes in the Hoh Xil region on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In September2011, Zonag Lake burst after the water level had increased for many years. Floods flowed through Kusai and Hedin Noel Lakes into Yanhu Lake; since then, the four small endorheic catchments merged into one larger catchment. This hydrological process caused the rapid shrinkage of Zonag Lake and continuous expansion of Yanhu Lake. In this study,based on satellite images, meteorological data and field investigations, we examined the dynamic changes in the four lakes and analyzed the influencing factors. The results showed that before 2011, the trends in the four lake areas were similar and displayed several stages. The change in the area of Zonag Lake corresponded well to the change in annual precipitation(AP), but the magnitude of the change was less than that of a non-glacier-fed lake. Although increased precipitation was the dominant factor that caused Zonag Lake to expand, increased glacier melting and permafrost thawing due to climate warming also had significant effects. After the 2011 outburst of Zonag Lake, due to the increasing AP and accelerating glacier melting, the increases in water volume of the three lakes were absorbed by Yanhu Lake, and Yanhu Lake expanded considerably. According to the rapid growth rates in water level and lake area, Yanhu Lake is likely to burst in 1-2 years.
文摘Seasonal development of soil microbial activity and bacterial biomass in sub-polar regions was investigated to determine the impacts of biotic and abiotic factors, such as organic matter content, temperature and moisture. The study was performed during spring thaw from three cultivated meadows and two non-cultivated forest sites near Alta, in northern Norway. Samples from all five sites showed increasing respiration rates directly after the spring thaw with soil respiration activity best related to soil organic matter content. However, distributions of bacterial biomass showed fewer similarities to these two parameters. This could be explained by variations of litter exploitation through the biomass. Microbial activity started immediately after the thaw while root growth had a longer time lag. An influence of root development on soil microbes was proposed for sites where microorganisms and roots had a tight relationship caused by a more intensive root structure. Also a reduction of microbial activity due to soil compaction in the samples from a wheel track could not be observed under laboratory conditions. New methodological approaches of differential staining for live and dead organisms were applied in order to follow changes within the microbial community. Under laboratory conditions freeze and thaw cycles showed a damaging influence on parts of the soil bacteria. Additionally, different patterns for active vs. non-active bacteria were noticeable after freeze-thaw cycles.
基金supported by the National Key Basic Research Program of China(973 Program)(Grant No.2012CB026106)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41672310)+3 种基金the Science and Technology Major Project of Gansu Province(Grant No.143GKDA007)National key research and development program(2016YFC0802103)the West Light Foundation of CAS for Dr.G.Y.Li,Project of the State Key Laboratory of Frozen Soils Engineering of CAS(Grant No.SKLFSE-ZY-16)the STS research project of the Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute(HHS-TSS-STS-1502)
文摘Compacted loess is widely used as fills of road embankments in loess regions of northern China.Generally, densely-compacted loess can satisfy the requirements of embankment strength and postconstruction deformation. However, uneven subsidence, pavement cracks and other related damages can affect the integrity of loess subgrade after several years of operation,and even cause some hazards, especially in North China, where the strong freeze-thaw erosion occurs. In this study, cyclic freeze-thaw tests for both densely and loosely compacted loess samples were performed to determine the variation in engineering properties such as volume, void ratio, collapsible settlement,microstructure, and the related mechanisms were addressed. The experimental results showed that an obvious water migration and redistribution occurred within the samples during freeze-thaw cycles. Ice lenses and fissures could be identified in the upper frozen layers of the samples. After freeze-thaw cycles,the dry densities of the upper layers of samples changed significantly due to strong freeze-thaw erosion. The dry densities decreased for the dense sample and increased for the loose sample. It can be found that dense samples become loose, while loose samples became dense with the increasing number of freeze-thaw cycles. Their related void ratios changed reversely. Both void ratios tended to fall into a certain range, which verified the concept of a residual void ratio proposed by Viklander. The loosening process of densely compacted samples involves the formation of large pores, volume increase and density reduction as well as the related changes in mechanical properties because freeze-thaw cycles may be important contribution to problems of loess road embankments.Adverse effects of freeze-thaw cycles, therefore,should be taken into account in selecting loess parameters for the stability evaluation of road embankment in seasonally frozen ground regions.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41401611,41301072)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2014M560817,2015T81069)the Open Project Program of the State Key Laboratory of Frozen Soil Engineering(Grant No.SKLFSE201208)
文摘Extreme freeze-thaw action occurs on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau due to its unique climate resulting from high elevation and cold temperature.This action causes damage to the surface soil structure, as soil erosion in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is dominated by freeze-thaw erosion.In this research,freezing–thawing process of the soil samples collected from the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau was carried out by laboratory experiments to determinate the volume variation of soil as well as physical and mechanical properties, such as porosity, granularity and uniaxial compressive strength, after the soil experiences various freeze–thaw cycles.Results show that cohesion and uniaxial compressive strength decreased as the volume and porosity of the soil increased after experiencing various freeze–thaw cycles, especially in the first six freeze–thaw cycles.Consequently, the physical and mechanical properties of the soil were altered.However, granularity and internal friction angle did not vary significantly with an increase in the freeze–thaw cycle.The structural damage among soil particles due to frozen water expansion was the major cause of changes in soil mechanical behavior in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.
基金funded by the National Science and Technology Support Plan(2015BAD07B02)
文摘Freezing and thawing indices are not only of great significance for permafrost research but also are important indicators of the effects of climate change.However,to date,research on ground-surface freezing and thawing indices and their relationship with air indices is limited.Based on daily air and ground-surface temperatures collected from 11 meteorological stations in the source region of the Yellow River,the freezing and thawing indices were calculated,and their spatial distribution and trends were analyzed.The air-freezing index(AFI),air-thawing index(ATI),ground surface-freezing index(GFI),ground surface-thawing index(GTI),air thawing-freezing index ratio(Na)and surface ground thawing-freezing index ratio(Ng)were 1554.64,1153.93,1.55,2484.85,850.57℃-days and 3.44,respectively.Altitude affected the spatial distribution of the freezing and thawing indices.As the altitude increased,the freezing indices gradually increased,and the thawing indices and thawing-freezing index ratio decreased.From 1980 to 2014,the AFI and GFI decreased at rates of 8.61 and 11.06℃-days a^(-1),the ATI and GTI increased at 9.65 and 14.53℃-days a^(-1),and Na and Ng significantly increased at 0.21 and 0.79 decade^(-1).Changes in the freezing and thawing indices were associated with increases in the air and ground-surface temperatures.The rates of change of the ground surface freezing and thawing indices were faster than the air ones because the rate of increase of the groundsurface temperature was faster than that of the air and the difference between the ground surface and air increased.The change point of the time series of freezing and thawing indices occurred in 2000–2001.After 2000–2001,the AFI and GFI were lower than before the change point,and the changing trend was lower.The ATI,GTI,Na and Ng during 2001–2014 were higher,with faster rates than before.In addition,the annual thawing indices composed a greater proportion of the mean annual air temperature and mean annual ground surface temperature than the annual freezing indices.This study provides the necessary basis for research on and prediction of permafrost changes,especially changes in the depth of the active permafrost layer,climate change,and possible evolution of the ecological environment over the source region of the Yellow River on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
基金Knowledge Innovation Program of Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, CAS, No.0571041
文摘Annual freezing and thawing index of 7 meteorological stations along the Qing- hai-Xizang Railway were calculated based on daily maximum and minimum temperature records for 1966-2004. Trends of annual freezing and thawing index were analyzed using the Mann-Kendall test and a simple linear regression method. The results show that： 1） The mean annual freezing indices range from 95 to 2300℃·d and the mean annual thawing indices range from 630 to 3250℃·d. The mean annual freezing index of the 7 stations exhibited decreasing trends with decreasing rate of -16.6- -59.1 ℃·d/10a. The mean annual thawing index of these 7 stations showed increasing trends with the related decreasing rate is 19.83-45.6℃·d/10a. 2） The MK trend test indicated the significant decreasing trends （significant at 〈 0.05 significant level） in the annual freezing index for most stations except for Golmud. The significant increasing trends can be observed in the annual thawing index for 4 stations except Golmud and Tuotuohe. Golmud was the only station with no trends in both annual freezing and annual thawing index.
基金This work was supported jointly by the Key Innovation Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.ZKCX2-SW-210)the National Natural Science Foundation of the China(Grant Nos.40375033 and 40175020)the Key National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.40231005).
文摘The impact of the anomalous thawing of frozen soil in the late spring on the summer precipitation in China and its possible mechanism are analyzed in the context of the frozen soil thawing date data of the 50 meteorological stations in the Tibetan Plateau, and the NCEP/NCAR monthly average reanalysis data. Results show that the thawing dates of the Tibetan Plateau gradually become earlier from 1980 to 1999, which is consistent with the trend of global warming in the 20th century. Because differences in the thermal capacity and conductivity between frozen and unfrozen soils are larger, changes in the freezing/thawing process of soil may change the physical properties of the underlying surface, thus affecting exchanges of sensible and latent heat between the ground surface and air. The thermal state change of the plateau ground surface must lead to the thermal anomalies of the atmosphere over and around the plateau, and then further to the anomalies of the general atmospheric circulation. A possible mechanism for the impact of the thawing of the plateau on summer (July) precipitation may be as follows. When the frozen soil thaws early (late) in the plateau, the thermal capacity of the ground surface is large (small), and the thermal conductivity is small (large), therefore, the thermal exchanges between the ground surface and the air are weak (strong). The small (large) ground surface sensible and latent heat fluxes lead to a weak (strong) South Asian high, a weak (strong) West Pacific subtropical high and a little to south (north) of its normal position. Correspondingly, the ascending motion is strengthened (weakened) and precipitation increases (decreases) in South China, while in the middle and lower reaches of the Changjiang River, the ascending motion and precipitation show the opposite trend.
基金Projects(41672312, 41972294) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(2017CFA056) supported by the Outstanding Youth Foundation of Hubei Province, ChinaProject(KFJ170104) supported by the Changsha University of Science & Technology via Open Fund of National Engineering Laboratory of Highway Maintenance Technology, China。
文摘Although the dynamic properties of subgrade soils in seasonally frozen areas have already been studied, few researchers have considered the influence of shallow groundwater during the freeze–thaw(F–T) cycles. So a multifunctional F–T cycle system was developed to imitate the groundwater recharge in the subgrade during the freezing process and a large number of dynamic triaxial experiments were conducted after the F–T cycles. Some significant factors including the F–T cycle number, compaction degree, confining pressure, cyclic deviator stress, loading frequency, and water content were investigated for the resilient modulus of soils. The experimental results indicated that the dynamic resilient modulus of the subgrade was negatively correlated with the cyclic deviator stress, F–T cycle number, and initial water content, whereas the degree of compaction, confining pressure, and loading frequency could enhance the resilient modulus. Furthermore, a modified model considering the F–T cycle number and stress state was established to predict the dynamic resilient modulus. The calculated results of this modified model were very close to the experimental results. Consequently, calculation of the resilient modulus for F–T cycles considering the dynamic load was appropriate. This study provides reference for research focusing on F–T cycles with groundwater supply and the dynamic resilient moduli of subgrade soils in seasonally frozen areas.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.20206030) and Ministry of Science and Technology 863 Hi-Technology Research and Development Program of China (2005AA501660).
文摘At subzero temperature, the startup capability and performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) deteriorates markedly. The object of this work is to study the degradation mechanism of key components of PEMFC-membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) and seek feasible measures to avoid degradation. The effect of freeze/thaw cycles on the structure of MEA is investigated based on porosity and SEM measurement. The performance of a single cell was also tested before and after repetitious freeze/thaw cycles. The experimental results indicated that the performance of a PEMFC decreased along with the total operating time as well as the pore size distribution shifting and micro configuration changing. However, when the redundant water had been removed by gas purging, the performance of the PEMFC stack was almost resumed when it experienced again the same subzero temperature test. These results show that it is necessary to remove the water in PEMFCs to maintain stable performance under subzero temperature and gas purging is proved to be the effective operation.
基金Funded by the Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.50438010)
文摘Mechanical behaviors of UHTCC after freezing and thawing were investigated,and compared with those of steel fiber reinforced concrete（SFRC）,air-entrained concrete（AEC） and ordinary concrete（OC）.Four point bending tests had been applied after different freezing-thawing cycles（0,50,100,150,200 and 300 cycles,respectively）.The results showed that residual flexural strength of UHTCC after 300 freezing-thawing cycles was 10.62 MPa（70% of no freezing thawing ones）,while 1.58 MPa（17% of no freezing thawing ones） for SFRC.Flexural toughness of UHTCC decreased by 17%,while 70% for SFRC comparatively.It has been demonstrated experimentally that UHTCC without any air-entraining agent could resist freezing-thawing and retain its high toughness characteristic in cold environment.Consequently,UHTCC could be put into practice for new-built or retrofit of infrastructures in cold regions.
