Understanding the Freeze-Thaw Cycle and Its Impact on Structures

This modular equipment uses a patented heat transfer technology in vertical plates that provide unprecedented freeze and thaw performance and flexibility. With this integrated approach, biomanufacturers can safely and confidently manage the entire cold chain from filling and freezing to shipping, thawing and dispensing. For building owners and managers, this means higher maintenance costs, increased risk of damage, and potential safety concerns. Freeze-thaw cycles can significantly impact facades, leading to accelerated deterioration, costly repairs, and even structural failures over time.

• In contrast, a decrease in pH was observed over the curing period, possibly due to the formation of acidic substances from the oxidation and decomposition of organic matter within the soil.
• The specific gravity values for CL and SM soils were 2.78 and 2.75, respectively.
• A study was conducted on the stress–strain relationship of stressed concrete with focus on the freeze–thaw damage gradient.
• The displacement-based loading mode was utilized at a constant rate of 0.5 mm/min.
• The GWC follows a similar decrease pattern at both lower (500 kPa) and higher suction (180 × 103 kPa) levels in confined conditions for both soils, as presented in Fig.

Freeze-Thaw Damage in Concrete: Causes and Mitigation Methods

According to the model parameters determined above, the comparisons of tested and predicted results for the different freezing–thawing cycles are shown in Fig. The influence of freezing–thawing process on the mechanical features of sand samples can also be duplicated. The above stress–strain curves also reflect the pronounced effect of freeze–thaw cycles on the splitting damage of granite samples. As the number of freeze–thaw cycles increases, the axial strains at both the initial and final stages of yielding decrease, along with a reduction in compressive strength.

Following a short interval (approximately 10–20 min), it was returned to the WP4C instrument to measure suction. Once consecutive suction values showed a minimal difference, the test concluded, and the water content of samples was measured through oven drying. V. Strict measures must be tailored to ensure that building codes and regulations, which include comprehensive guidelines for construction in regions susceptible to expansive soils and freeze-thaw cycles, are strictly adhered to. These measures are crucial for safeguarding the safety and structural stability of buildings and infrastructure. In practical terms, the excess hydrated gypsum can be transported in an aqueous solution or precipitate within available voids in rocks. This action can exert pressure on the rock mass and push it apart, while potentially triggering the expansion of discontinuities and inducing swelling strains (Figure 8) (Alonso, 2012; Tarragona, 2014; Butscher et al., 2015).

Changing of mechanical property and bearing capacity of strongly chlorine saline soil under freeze-thaw cycles

According to Powers and Darcy’s law, the hydraulic pressure theory explains the effects of low temperatures on concrete (Powers, 1949; Powers, 1975). When concrete is exposed to low temperatures, the outer layer of the concrete freezes first. This freezing causes the liquid water within the concrete to migrate through capillary pores due to the volume differences between ice and liquid water. Precisely, ice occupies a greater volume than liquid water, creating a differential pressure that drives the migration (Valenza and Scherer, 2007; Dabas et al., 2021; Guo et al., 2022).

All concentration deviations relative to the concentration after the first freeze/ thaw cycle were less than 5 % for -20 °C and -80 °C cycling with both isolation methods. The average percentage differences of liquid nitrogen samples were higher, and the MagNA isolation method showed significant differences. The repeating freeze/ thaw up to 100 cycles (through -20 °C and -80 °C, respectively) did not significantly influence the integrity, concentration, or purity of genomic DNA, suggesting that storage of samples in high-volume pools without multiple aliquoting is possible. Storage in a freezer seems to be the most suitable way of long-term DNA preservation, because liquid nitrogen storage leads to formation of DNA clumps. Soil temperature is also a key environmental factor influencing plant dormancy and sprouting38, however, it is not the main reason for differences in sprouting between treatments in this study.

Statistical analysis

• The samples were positioned between the upper and lower bearing plates of the test machine to guarantee uniform radial pressurization.
• Matsuoka N indicated that seasonal freeze and thaw accelerate the weathering of hard rocks in Alpine regions10.
• While undisturbed clay barriers have historically shown higher performance in containing chemical waste, identifying thick natural barriers is not always feasible (Met and Akgun, 2015).

Table 3 provides a comprehensive summary of the freeze-thaw cycle effects on expansion materials, highlighting their factors and implications in geotechnical engineering. Freezing–thawing actions can affect the mechanical features of soil greatly, which is vital for the stability of soil slope in cold regions. Then, the double hardening constitutive model was revised to model the influences of freezing–thawing cycles in consideration of the influences of freezing–thawing actions, and the model was also validated by the test results. The study here can provide a help in designing and construction of civil engineering in cold regions. engineered stainless steel pools improve the understanding of granite’s behavior under freeze–thaw conditions and provide valuable insights for assessing rock slope stability in cold regions. Future research should focus on examining the long-term effects of freeze–thaw cycles under varying environmental conditions, such as different humidity levels and freeze–thaw frequencies.

Freeze-thaw cycles alter the growth sprouting strategy of wetland plants by promoting denitrification

The specimens were subjected to 1, 3, 5, and 8 cycles within a specialized cabinet. The variation in the UCS value of BAS for different F-T cycles was analysed and shown in Figs. The result shows that for the same F-T cycle, 1% and 2% BB-amended CL soils exhibited higher UCS values than non-amended CL soil. Also, it was observed that the UCS of 3.5% and 5% BB-amended CL soils was lower compared to non-amended CL soil across all F-T cycles.

The use of biochar in landfill covers has the potential to reduce methane emissions by up to 80% while simultaneously enhancing leachate quality through the reduction of heavy metals and other pollutants13. The use of biochar as soil amendment enhances water-retention capacity and influences soil tensile strength14. The moisture retention capabilities of biochar potentially establish a moisture content equilibrium for a long duration15. The prolonged moisture equilibrium of biochar-amended soil (BAS) affects strength, which is tricky and vital for geo-environmental engineering projects. This equilibrium can impact soil strength by optimizing compaction efficiency and reducing potential moisture-related degradation, thereby enhancing the overall strength. In addition, surface characteristics of biochar can evolve during the curing period, leading to chemical interactions with soil components16.

Strength and fractal damage characteristics of cement-coal slag stabilized soil under freeze-thaw cycles

In contrast, a decrease in pH was observed over the curing period, possibly due to the formation of acidic substances from the oxidation and decomposition of organic matter within the soil. As reported in the past, biochar isn’t completely inert in soil and can undergo oxidation as a result of chemical and microbial activity, and carboxylic functional groups may be produced through the gradual oxidation of biochar in soils54. The escalation of acidic functional groups counteracted alkalinity and reduced the pH during the curing period.