Pub Date : 2025-12-06DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104791
Ruqaya Khammas, Reza Jafari, Heli Koivuluoto
Ice accretion is a global problem that takes place in cold regions and can affect different life fields and industries, and it can cause damage, danger, and operational delays. Icephobic materials, anti-icing surfaces and coatings are widely dealt with nowadays, however, they always come with limitations related to durability. In this paper, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) for icephobic purposes were produced using a low-pressure cold spray (LPCS) coating process of a composite mixture of 90 vol% poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) with 10 vol% aluminium oxide (Al2O3) to produce a porous coating and infused it with silicon oil to create the SLIPS. Two types of coatings were produced with and without heating assistance during coating production. Coating and SLIPS' properties were characterized by studying the coating and the powder microstructure, surface wettability, roughness, topography, and icephobicity by cyclic icing/de-icing testing. In line with the obtained results, the coating showed low ice adhesion strength of 45 kPa and 43 kPa for these two SLIPS. Re-useability of these SLIPS was observed by refilling them after cyclic icing testing and they showed ice adhesion strengths of 38 kPa and 35 kPa, which in turn, supported their mechanical stability and integrity.
{"title":"Icephobic performance of low-pressure cold sprayed PEEK SLIPS","authors":"Ruqaya Khammas, Reza Jafari, Heli Koivuluoto","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104791","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104791","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ice accretion is a global problem that takes place in cold regions and can affect different life fields and industries, and it can cause damage, danger, and operational delays. Icephobic materials, anti-icing surfaces and coatings are widely dealt with nowadays, however, they always come with limitations related to durability. In this paper, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) for icephobic purposes were produced using a low-pressure cold spray (LPCS) coating process of a composite mixture of 90 vol% poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) with 10 vol% aluminium oxide (Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) to produce a porous coating and infused it with silicon oil to create the SLIPS. Two types of coatings were produced with and without heating assistance during coating production. Coating and SLIPS' properties were characterized by studying the coating and the powder microstructure, surface wettability, roughness, topography, and icephobicity by cyclic icing/de-icing testing. In line with the obtained results, the coating showed low ice adhesion strength of 45 kPa and 43 kPa for these two SLIPS. Re<em>-</em>useability of these SLIPS was observed by refilling them after cyclic icing testing and they showed ice adhesion strengths of 38 kPa and 35 kPa, which in turn, supported their mechanical stability and integrity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 104791"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104789
Zhanju Lin , Nuocheng Li , Xuhui Wang , Xingwen Fan , Wenjiao Li , Xuyang Wu , Peng Zhang
Near-surface temperature and moisture are key boundary conditions for simulating permafrost distribution, projecting its response to climate change, and evaluating the surface energy balance in alpine regions. However, in desertified permafrost zones of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), the observations remain sparse, and reported trends vary considerably among sites. This lack of consistent evidence limits the ability to represent microenvironmental processes in models and to predict their influence on permafrost stability. From September 2021 to August 2024, we conducted continuous observations at a desertified permafrost site on the central QTP, covering the vertical range from 150 cm above to 100 cm below the ground surface (boundary layer). Measurements included air and ground temperature, air humidity, soil moisture, wind speed, and net radiation. Results showed that the mean annual air temperature increased with decreasing height at a gradient of approximately 0.42 °C/m, while mean annual air humidity remained nearly constant at 56.8 ± 1.1 % (150–0 cm). In the near-surface soil layer (0 ∼ −10 cm), temperature rose by 3.6 ± 0.1 °C and moisture decreased by 34.0 ± 2.7 %. The mean annual ground temperature increased with depth at a rate of about 0.55 °C/m, whereas soil moisture decreased between −20 and −60 cm (52.86 %/m) and increased between −60 and −100 cm (56.30 %/m). Seasonal patterns showed marked difference: in the freezing season, the calculated total temperature increment within the boundary layer (1.91 °C) was 61 % lower than the observed value (4.88 °C), while in the thawing season, it was 58 % higher (4.38 °C > 2.77 °C). These results reveal strong vertical gradients and seasonal contrasts in thermal and moisture regimes, emphasizing the need to integrate coupled temperature-moisture processes into boundary layer parameterizations for cold-region environments. Improved representations can enhance permafrost modeling and inform infrastructure design in regions experiencing both warming and desertification.
{"title":"Dynamic variations of near-surface temperature and moisture at a desertified permafrost site on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau","authors":"Zhanju Lin , Nuocheng Li , Xuhui Wang , Xingwen Fan , Wenjiao Li , Xuyang Wu , Peng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104789","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104789","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Near-surface temperature and moisture are key boundary conditions for simulating permafrost distribution, projecting its response to climate change, and evaluating the surface energy balance in alpine regions. However, in desertified permafrost zones of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), the observations remain sparse, and reported trends vary considerably among sites. This lack of consistent evidence limits the ability to represent microenvironmental processes in models and to predict their influence on permafrost stability. From September 2021 to August 2024, we conducted continuous observations at a desertified permafrost site on the central QTP, covering the vertical range from 150 cm above to 100 cm below the ground surface (boundary layer). Measurements included air and ground temperature, air humidity, soil moisture, wind speed, and net radiation. Results showed that the mean annual air temperature increased with decreasing height at a gradient of approximately 0.42 °C/m, while mean annual air humidity remained nearly constant at 56.8 ± 1.1 % (150–0 cm). In the near-surface soil layer (0 ∼ −10 cm), temperature rose by 3.6 ± 0.1 °C and moisture decreased by 34.0 ± 2.7 %. The mean annual ground temperature increased with depth at a rate of about 0.55 °C/m, whereas soil moisture decreased between −20 and −60 cm (52.86 %/m) and increased between −60 and −100 cm (56.30 %/m). Seasonal patterns showed marked difference: in the freezing season, the calculated total temperature increment within the boundary layer (1.91 °C) was 61 % lower than the observed value (4.88 °C), while in the thawing season, it was 58 % higher (4.38 °C > 2.77 °C). These results reveal strong vertical gradients and seasonal contrasts in thermal and moisture regimes, emphasizing the need to integrate coupled temperature-moisture processes into boundary layer parameterizations for cold-region environments. Improved representations can enhance permafrost modeling and inform infrastructure design in regions experiencing both warming and desertification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 104789"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104778
Ruisong Yang , Peng Xu , Yimin Wu
<div><div>The freezing of drainage ditches in high-speed railway tunnels in cold regions can lead to a series of frost-related damages, seriously compromising the normal operation of the tunnel. To more effectively address frost damage in drainage ditches, the longitudinal temperature fields of the representative Hufengling Tunnel and Zhishan Tunnel in severe cold regions of China were monitored and recorded from December to May of the following year. Based on actual engineering conditions, a numerical simulation model for the temperature field in the drainage ditches of cold-region tunnels was established using ANSYS software. The temperature field on the inner walls of the drainage ditches was analyzed, and a coupled flow-heat transfer calculation model for water within the ditches was constructed through theoretical analysis to investigate the water freezing mechanism. Finally, by utilizing the longitudinal temperature distribution data of Hufengling Tunnel on February 6, the sections of the tunnel drainage ditches prone to freezing were predicted. The results indicate that the monthly average temperature in cold-region tunnels increases with the distance from the tunnel portal, while the temperature in the middle section of the tunnel remains relatively stable. The influence of short-term temperature fluctuations on the drainage ditch temperature field diminishes with increasing depth. Both insulated side ditches and insulated central drainage ditches are prone to freezing, with the freezing of insulated side ditches poses a primary challenge in frost damage prevention for cold-region tunnels. Under extremely low-temperature conditions, freezing may occur throughout the insulated side ditches in both the Hufengling Tunnel and Zhishan Tunnel. Under the condition that other factors remain constant, the rate of decrease in water temperature within the drainage ditches decreases with increasing flow velocity and equivalent radius, but increases with a higher convective heat transfer coefficient. A higher initial water temperature results in a correspondingly higher temperature in the drainage ditches; however, under all scenarios, the water temperature eventually equilibrates with that of the drainage ditches wall. The water temperature fluctuates synchronously in response to variations in the ditch wall temperature, while flow velocity has limited effect on the amplitude of these fluctuations. When the equivalent radius remains constant, the flow rate is the dominant factor determining the distance water travels before freezing. In the Hufengling Tunnel, no freezing was observed in the drainage ditches during the cold season. However, during the warm season, when the flow rate is 6.28 L·s<sup>−1</sup>, freezing may occur in the insulated side ditches within approximately 2800 m from the tunnel portal and in the insulated central drainage ditches between 1000 and 3400 m from the portal. Higher flow rates correspond to shorter freezing sections, w
{"title":"Evolution of freezing in drainage ditches of high-speed railway tunnels in cold regions","authors":"Ruisong Yang , Peng Xu , Yimin Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104778","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104778","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The freezing of drainage ditches in high-speed railway tunnels in cold regions can lead to a series of frost-related damages, seriously compromising the normal operation of the tunnel. To more effectively address frost damage in drainage ditches, the longitudinal temperature fields of the representative Hufengling Tunnel and Zhishan Tunnel in severe cold regions of China were monitored and recorded from December to May of the following year. Based on actual engineering conditions, a numerical simulation model for the temperature field in the drainage ditches of cold-region tunnels was established using ANSYS software. The temperature field on the inner walls of the drainage ditches was analyzed, and a coupled flow-heat transfer calculation model for water within the ditches was constructed through theoretical analysis to investigate the water freezing mechanism. Finally, by utilizing the longitudinal temperature distribution data of Hufengling Tunnel on February 6, the sections of the tunnel drainage ditches prone to freezing were predicted. The results indicate that the monthly average temperature in cold-region tunnels increases with the distance from the tunnel portal, while the temperature in the middle section of the tunnel remains relatively stable. The influence of short-term temperature fluctuations on the drainage ditch temperature field diminishes with increasing depth. Both insulated side ditches and insulated central drainage ditches are prone to freezing, with the freezing of insulated side ditches poses a primary challenge in frost damage prevention for cold-region tunnels. Under extremely low-temperature conditions, freezing may occur throughout the insulated side ditches in both the Hufengling Tunnel and Zhishan Tunnel. Under the condition that other factors remain constant, the rate of decrease in water temperature within the drainage ditches decreases with increasing flow velocity and equivalent radius, but increases with a higher convective heat transfer coefficient. A higher initial water temperature results in a correspondingly higher temperature in the drainage ditches; however, under all scenarios, the water temperature eventually equilibrates with that of the drainage ditches wall. The water temperature fluctuates synchronously in response to variations in the ditch wall temperature, while flow velocity has limited effect on the amplitude of these fluctuations. When the equivalent radius remains constant, the flow rate is the dominant factor determining the distance water travels before freezing. In the Hufengling Tunnel, no freezing was observed in the drainage ditches during the cold season. However, during the warm season, when the flow rate is 6.28 L·s<sup>−1</sup>, freezing may occur in the insulated side ditches within approximately 2800 m from the tunnel portal and in the insulated central drainage ditches between 1000 and 3400 m from the portal. Higher flow rates correspond to shorter freezing sections, w","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 104778"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104788
Changhong He, Guangning Wu, Yi Fang, Zongbao Gao, Guoqiang Gao, Zheng Li
The feeder line in high-speed railways is important equipment for improving supply voltage and enhancing current transmission in the traction power supply system. The catenary uses a complex structure to meet the requirements for sliding electrical contact and current transfer under high tension and smoothness, while the feeder line, with relatively lower tension between spans, is more prone to low-frequency, large-amplitude galloping under icing conditions. Addressing the unclear mechanisms, uncertain patterns, and difficulty in predicting galloping of iced feeder lines, the paper develops a surrogate model for predicting galloping using numerical simulation and deep learning methods. First, the icing of the feeder line is decomposed into the processes of collision, capture, and freezing, with an iterative calculation-based dynamic icing simulation platform is developed. Next, the dynamic galloping behavior of the feeder line under different icing states is studied, and a database is constructed. Finally, a surrogate model for predicting galloping of iced feeder lines is established using an echo state network. The above study solves the problem of difficult monitoring of iced feeder lines, clarifies the relationship between icing and galloping, and provides theoretical and technical support for dynamic galloping early warning of high-speed railway feeder lines.
{"title":"A surrogate modeling approach for predicting the dynamic galloping of iced feeder lines in high-speed railways","authors":"Changhong He, Guangning Wu, Yi Fang, Zongbao Gao, Guoqiang Gao, Zheng Li","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104788","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104788","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The feeder line in high-speed railways is important equipment for improving supply voltage and enhancing current transmission in the traction power supply system. The catenary uses a complex structure to meet the requirements for sliding electrical contact and current transfer under high tension and smoothness, while the feeder line, with relatively lower tension between spans, is more prone to low-frequency, large-amplitude galloping under icing conditions. Addressing the unclear mechanisms, uncertain patterns, and difficulty in predicting galloping of iced feeder lines, the paper develops a surrogate model for predicting galloping using numerical simulation and deep learning methods. First, the icing of the feeder line is decomposed into the processes of collision, capture, and freezing, with an iterative calculation-based dynamic icing simulation platform is developed. Next, the dynamic galloping behavior of the feeder line under different icing states is studied, and a database is constructed. Finally, a surrogate model for predicting galloping of iced feeder lines is established using an echo state network. The above study solves the problem of difficult monitoring of iced feeder lines, clarifies the relationship between icing and galloping, and provides theoretical and technical support for dynamic galloping early warning of high-speed railway feeder lines.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 104788"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145692523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-03DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104787
Dongyu Yang , Miao Li , Zunyi Xie , Xiaodong Wu , Haoran Man , Dianfan Guo , Jianhua Ren , Shuying Zang , Luhe Wan
Ground freeze-thaw dynamics critically affect carbon cycling and ecosystem stability in cold regions. In the frozen ground region of northeastern China (FGRN China), these dynamics are governed by synergistic biotic, climatic, physiographic, and anthropogenic drivers, making spatiotemporal characterization and causal attribution particularly challenging. We establish a ground freeze-thaw dynamic index (FTDI) based on the ground freezing index (GFI) and ground thawing index (GTI), to quantify ground freeze-thaw dynamics in FGRN China (1982–2020). Using geostatistics, geodetector, and structural equation model (SEM), we analyze spatiotemporal patterns, critical thresholds, and driving mechanisms. The results indicate that the area where FTDI <0 (i.e., GFI > GTI) is shrinking significantly at a rate of 0.45 × 104 km2/a, with its gravity center shifting from the sporadic permafrost region (SPR) toward the discontinuous permafrost region (DPR) across the Da Xing'anling Mountains. This indicates that ground warming will be more pronounced in DPR within FGRN China. Furthermore, critical thresholds were detected only for precipitation changes (≈ −3.2 mm/a; beyond inhibiting thawing) and snow cover changes (≈ −0.19 %/a; beyond promoting thawing). SEM revealed a succession of dominant controlling factors and mechanistic transitions across the frozen ground degradation gradient. Precipitation changes primarily promoted thawing in DPR. In SPR, the inhibitory effect of soil water changes became prominent, while precipitation changes shifted from promotion to inhibition (suggesting a threshold). In the isolated patch permafrost region, thawing was regulated by the inhibitory effect of precipitation and the promoting effect of altitude. In the seasonal frozen ground region, the snow cover changes shifted from inhibition to promotion of thawing (suggesting a threshold). These findings reveal the environmental complexity governing ground freeze-thaw dynamics and provide insights into ecosystem stability and climate change projections in cold regions.
{"title":"Spatiotemporal patterns and drivers of ground Freeze-Thaw dynamics across Northeastern China","authors":"Dongyu Yang , Miao Li , Zunyi Xie , Xiaodong Wu , Haoran Man , Dianfan Guo , Jianhua Ren , Shuying Zang , Luhe Wan","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104787","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104787","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ground freeze-thaw dynamics critically affect carbon cycling and ecosystem stability in cold regions. In the frozen ground region of northeastern China (FGRN China), these dynamics are governed by synergistic biotic, climatic, physiographic, and anthropogenic drivers, making spatiotemporal characterization and causal attribution particularly challenging. We establish a ground freeze-thaw dynamic index (FTDI) based on the ground freezing index (GFI) and ground thawing index (GTI), to quantify ground freeze-thaw dynamics in FGRN China (1982–2020). Using geostatistics, geodetector, and structural equation model (SEM), we analyze spatiotemporal patterns, critical thresholds, and driving mechanisms. The results indicate that the area where FTDI <0 (i.e., GFI > GTI) is shrinking significantly at a rate of 0.45 × 10<sup>4</sup> km<sup>2</sup>/a, with its gravity center shifting from the sporadic permafrost region (SPR) toward the discontinuous permafrost region (DPR) across the Da Xing'anling Mountains. This indicates that ground warming will be more pronounced in DPR within FGRN China. Furthermore, critical thresholds were detected only for precipitation changes (≈ −3.2 mm/a; beyond inhibiting thawing) and snow cover changes (≈ −0.19 %/a; beyond promoting thawing). SEM revealed a succession of dominant controlling factors and mechanistic transitions across the frozen ground degradation gradient. Precipitation changes primarily promoted thawing in DPR. In SPR, the inhibitory effect of soil water changes became prominent, while precipitation changes shifted from promotion to inhibition (suggesting a threshold). In the isolated patch permafrost region, thawing was regulated by the inhibitory effect of precipitation and the promoting effect of altitude. In the seasonal frozen ground region, the snow cover changes shifted from inhibition to promotion of thawing (suggesting a threshold). These findings reveal the environmental complexity governing ground freeze-thaw dynamics and provide insights into ecosystem stability and climate change projections in cold regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 104787"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734144","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104779
Enzhao Xiao , Tong Han , Qiming Zhang , Zhenxuan Yin , Hao Wang , Biao Hu , Xueyuan Tang , Bo Sun , Fan Zhang , Yihe Wang
Snow road and runway construction plays a vital role in developing logistical networks for Antarctic scientific expeditions. Previous studies based on unconfined compressive tests have demonstrated that the compressive strength of snow increases exponentially with density, establishing density as the dominant controlling factor. On the other hand, mechanical vibration applied to compacted snow layers has been demonstrated to significantly enhance snow hardness without markedly changing snow density. However, the strengthening effects of mechanical vibration on the uniaxial compressive strength of compacted Antarctic snow, and particularly the underlying mesoscale mechanisms remain poorly understood. The current paper addresses this gap through controlled experiments utilizing compacted Antarctic snow. Two groups of compacted snow samples were prepared: a control group using conventional layered compaction and an experimental group subjected to additional mechanical vibration after compaction. The results indicated that the experimental group achieved an average uniaxial compressive strength of 0.448 MPa, representing a 42.2 % increase compared to the control group (0.315 MPa). Mesoscale analysis revealed that mechanical vibration increased the minimum cut density index (MCDI) from 0.425 g/cm3 to 0.505 g/cm3 and raised the directional connectivity index (DCI) from 0.575 to 0.587, while reducing the mean values and standard deviations of structure and pore thicknesses. It is speculated that compaction creates random large pores and microcracks within particles. Vibration-induced oscillatory stresses propagate these microcracks, fragmenting particles near pores. These fragments then fill pore spaces, yielding more uniform pore distribution while maintaining constant overall density. These findings provide theoretical guidance for optimizing the construction of snow infrastructures in polar and cold regions.
{"title":"Vibration effects on the uniaxial compressive strength of compacted Antarctic snow","authors":"Enzhao Xiao , Tong Han , Qiming Zhang , Zhenxuan Yin , Hao Wang , Biao Hu , Xueyuan Tang , Bo Sun , Fan Zhang , Yihe Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104779","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104779","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Snow road and runway construction plays a vital role in developing logistical networks for Antarctic scientific expeditions. Previous studies based on unconfined compressive tests have demonstrated that the compressive strength of snow increases exponentially with density, establishing density as the dominant controlling factor. On the other hand, mechanical vibration applied to compacted snow layers has been demonstrated to significantly enhance snow hardness without markedly changing snow density. However, the strengthening effects of mechanical vibration on the uniaxial compressive strength of compacted Antarctic snow, and particularly the underlying mesoscale mechanisms remain poorly understood. The current paper addresses this gap through controlled experiments utilizing compacted Antarctic snow. Two groups of compacted snow samples were prepared: a control group using conventional layered compaction and an experimental group subjected to additional mechanical vibration after compaction. The results indicated that the experimental group achieved an average uniaxial compressive strength of 0.448 MPa, representing a 42.2 % increase compared to the control group (0.315 MPa). Mesoscale analysis revealed that mechanical vibration increased the minimum cut density index (MCDI) from 0.425 g/cm<sup>3</sup> to 0.505 g/cm<sup>3</sup> and raised the directional connectivity index (DCI) from 0.575 to 0.587, while reducing the mean values and standard deviations of structure and pore thicknesses. It is speculated that compaction creates random large pores and microcracks within particles. Vibration-induced oscillatory stresses propagate these microcracks, fragmenting particles near pores. These fragments then fill pore spaces, yielding more uniform pore distribution while maintaining constant overall density. These findings provide theoretical guidance for optimizing the construction of snow infrastructures in polar and cold regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 104779"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145692564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The thermal stability of permafrost, a foundation for engineering infrastructure in cold regions, is increasingly threatened by the dual stressors of climate change and anthropogenic disturbance. This study investigates the dynamics of the crushed rock revetted embankment at the Kunlun Mountain Section of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, systematically investigating the coupled impacts of climate warming and engineering activities on permafrost thermal stability using borehole temperature monitoring data (2008–2024) and climatic parameter analysis. Results show that under climate-driven effects, the study area experienced an air temperature increase of 0.2 °C per decade over the 2015–2024. Concurrently, the mean annual air thawing degree-days (TDD) rose by 13.8 °C·d/a, leading to active-layer thickening at a rate of 3.8 cm·a−1at natural ground sites. From 2008 to 2024, the active layer had thickened by 0.7–0.8 m. At the embankment toe (BH 5), the active-layer thickening rate (3.3 cm·a−1) was 25 % lower than that at the natural ground borehole (3.8 cm·a−1); correspondingly, the underlying permafrost temperature increase rate at the toe (0.3 °C per decade) was lower than that at the natural borehole (0.5–0.6 °C per decade). Permafrost warming rates decreased with depth. Shallow layers (above −2 m) were significantly influenced by climate, with warming rates of 0.3–0.6 °C per decade. In contrast, deep layers (below −10 m) showed warming rates converging with the background atmospheric temperature trend (0.2 °C per decade). Thermal regime disturbance was most pronounced at horizontal distances of 3.0–5.0 m from the embankment. Nevertheless, the crushed-rock revetment maintained a permafrost table 0.6 m shallower than that of natural ground, confirming its “thermal diode” effect (facilitating convective cooling in winter), which partially offset climate warming impacts. This study provides critical empirical data and validates the cooling mechanism of crushed-rock revetment, which is essential for predicting the long-term thermal stability and informing adaptive maintenance strategies for railway infrastructure in warming permafrost regions.
{"title":"Assessing the impacts of climate warming and engineering activities on the thermal regime of permafrost in the Kunlun Mountains, Qinghai-Tibet Railway","authors":"Zhanju Lin, Xuhui Wang, Xuyang Wu, Wenjiao Li, Peng Zhang, Nuocheng Li, Xingwen Fan","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104777","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104777","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The thermal stability of permafrost, a foundation for engineering infrastructure in cold regions, is increasingly threatened by the dual stressors of climate change and anthropogenic disturbance. This study investigates the dynamics of the crushed rock revetted embankment at the Kunlun Mountain Section of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, systematically investigating the coupled impacts of climate warming and engineering activities on permafrost thermal stability using borehole temperature monitoring data (2008–2024) and climatic parameter analysis. Results show that under climate-driven effects, the study area experienced an air temperature increase of 0.2 °C per decade over the 2015–2024. Concurrently, the mean annual air thawing degree-days (TDD) rose by 13.8 °C·d/a, leading to active-layer thickening at a rate of 3.8 cm·a<sup>−1</sup>at natural ground sites. From 2008 to 2024, the active layer had thickened by 0.7–0.8 m. At the embankment toe (BH 5), the active-layer thickening rate (3.3 cm·a<sup>−1</sup>) was 25 % lower than that at the natural ground borehole (3.8 cm·a<sup>−1</sup>); correspondingly, the underlying permafrost temperature increase rate at the toe (0.3 °C per decade) was lower than that at the natural borehole (0.5–0.6 °C per decade). Permafrost warming rates decreased with depth. Shallow layers (above −2 m) were significantly influenced by climate, with warming rates of 0.3–0.6 °C per decade. In contrast, deep layers (below −10 m) showed warming rates converging with the background atmospheric temperature trend (0.2 °C per decade). Thermal regime disturbance was most pronounced at horizontal distances of 3.0–5.0 m from the embankment. Nevertheless, the crushed-rock revetment maintained a permafrost table 0.6 m shallower than that of natural ground, confirming its “thermal diode” effect (facilitating convective cooling in winter), which partially offset climate warming impacts. This study provides critical empirical data and validates the cooling mechanism of crushed-rock revetment, which is essential for predicting the long-term thermal stability and informing adaptive maintenance strategies for railway infrastructure in warming permafrost regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 104777"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145692566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-29DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104774
Xiong Yin , Qifeng Guo , Zimu Shi , Jingxuan Yan , Yunhong Guo , Fei Li
To investigate the dynamic mechanical response and fracture mechanisms of frozen saturated dolomite under impact loading, dynamic compression tests were performed using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) system over a temperature range from −40 °C to 25 °C and impact pressures ranging from 0.26 MPa to 0.50 MPa. A relationship model describing the correlation between the fractal characteristics and energy dissipation of frozen saturated dolomite was established. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine the post-impact microstructure of the samples, thus revealing the dynamic fracture mechanisms of dolomite under combined subzero temperature and impact loading conditions. The results indicate that the dynamic mechanical behavior of dolomite exhibits distinct temperature and strain-rate effects. As the temperature decreases and the strain rate increases, both the dynamic compressive strength and elastic modulus of the samples increase correspondingly. Variations in freezing temperature and strain rate alter the energy dissipation mechanisms of the samples, which in turn influence the fragment-size distribution characteristics. As the temperature decreases, the energy dissipation density of frozen saturated dolomite exhibits a clear quadratic relationship with the fractal dimension. In contrast, as the strain rate increases, these two parameters demonstrate a significant logarithmic relationship. In addition, the freezing temperature exerts a marked influence on the microscopic fracture characteristics of saturated dolomite. At room temperature, both brittle and localized ductile fractures are observed on the microfracture surfaces of the saturated samples, thereby indicating composite fracture characteristics. However, as the temperature decreases to subzero temperatures, the microfracture mode transforms into a typical brittle fracture, and the brittleness becomes increasingly evident with further temperature reduction. These findings provide valuable theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of blasting parameters in open-pit mines located in cold alpine regions.
{"title":"Coupled effects of subzero temperature and impact loading on the dynamic mechanical properties and fracture mechanism of dolomite","authors":"Xiong Yin , Qifeng Guo , Zimu Shi , Jingxuan Yan , Yunhong Guo , Fei Li","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104774","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To investigate the dynamic mechanical response and fracture mechanisms of frozen saturated dolomite under impact loading, dynamic compression tests were performed using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) system over a temperature range from −40 °C to 25 °C and impact pressures ranging from 0.26 MPa to 0.50 MPa. A relationship model describing the correlation between the fractal characteristics and energy dissipation of frozen saturated dolomite was established. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine the post-impact microstructure of the samples, thus revealing the dynamic fracture mechanisms of dolomite under combined subzero temperature and impact loading conditions. The results indicate that the dynamic mechanical behavior of dolomite exhibits distinct temperature and strain-rate effects. As the temperature decreases and the strain rate increases, both the dynamic compressive strength and elastic modulus of the samples increase correspondingly. Variations in freezing temperature and strain rate alter the energy dissipation mechanisms of the samples, which in turn influence the fragment-size distribution characteristics. As the temperature decreases, the energy dissipation density of frozen saturated dolomite exhibits a clear quadratic relationship with the fractal dimension. In contrast, as the strain rate increases, these two parameters demonstrate a significant logarithmic relationship. In addition, the freezing temperature exerts a marked influence on the microscopic fracture characteristics of saturated dolomite. At room temperature, both brittle and localized ductile fractures are observed on the microfracture surfaces of the saturated samples, thereby indicating composite fracture characteristics. However, as the temperature decreases to subzero temperatures, the microfracture mode transforms into a typical brittle fracture, and the brittleness becomes increasingly evident with further temperature reduction. These findings provide valuable theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of blasting parameters in open-pit mines located in cold alpine regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 104774"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145645466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-28DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104776
Zhenxing Liu , Jiao Wang , Peng Cui , Yao Jiang , Tao Wei , Jingxuan Cao
The Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the “Third Pole,” exhibits heightened sensitivity and vulnerability to global climate change. It has been documented that the progressive retreat of high-altitude glaciers in this region, a phenomenon attributed to global warming, has led to the accumulation of extensive loose and unvegetated glacial till with buried ice (glacial till-ice composite). These unconsolidated deposits frequently serve as primary source materials for glacier-related hazards, including landslides and debris flows. Especially, the Parlung Tsangpo drainage basin in the southeastern portion of the Tibetan Plateau contains many glaciers with associated unconsolidated till. While significant efforts have been directed toward assessing the potential risks of glacier hazards in this area, the mechanical properties of glacial till-ice composite in response to climate warming remain poorly understood. To address this gap, a series of shear tests on glacial till-ice composite were conducted using a high-precision, temperature-controlled triaxial coupling test system, aiming to elucidate the shear deformation characteristics of glacial till-ice composite under varying temperatures and ice content levels. The findings reveal that the internal friction angle and cohesion of glacial till-ice composite undergo stage-wise changes with temperature, with the most pronounced reduction in strength observed within the −3 to −5 °C range. Furthermore, within this temperature interval, the cohesion of glacial till-ice composite demonstrates an exponential increase with rising ice content. In contrast to conventional frozen soils, glacial till-ice composites exhibit strength degradation over a narrower temperature range, characterized by accelerated strength attenuation and more significant strength loss during the deterioration process. To quantify these effects, Boltzmann and exponential attenuation functions were introduced to describe the influence of temperature and ice content on the shear strength of glacial till-ice composite. Based on the experimental results, a critical shear strength line for glacial till-ice composite was established as a function of temperature and ice content, and a strength degradation model incorporating these variables was developed. This model offers theoretical backing for disaster prevention and risk assessment of glacier debris flows.
{"title":"Temperature-dependent shear behavior of glacial till-ice composite: Experimental insights from the southeastern Tibetan Plateau","authors":"Zhenxing Liu , Jiao Wang , Peng Cui , Yao Jiang , Tao Wei , Jingxuan Cao","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104776","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104776","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the “Third Pole,” exhibits heightened sensitivity and vulnerability to global climate change. It has been documented that the progressive retreat of high-altitude glaciers in this region, a phenomenon attributed to global warming, has led to the accumulation of extensive loose and unvegetated glacial till with buried ice (glacial till-ice composite). These unconsolidated deposits frequently serve as primary source materials for glacier-related hazards, including landslides and debris flows. Especially, the Parlung Tsangpo drainage basin in the southeastern portion of the Tibetan Plateau contains many glaciers with associated unconsolidated till. While significant efforts have been directed toward assessing the potential risks of glacier hazards in this area, the mechanical properties of glacial till-ice composite in response to climate warming remain poorly understood. To address this gap, a series of shear tests on glacial till-ice composite were conducted using a high-precision, temperature-controlled triaxial coupling test system, aiming to elucidate the shear deformation characteristics of glacial till-ice composite under varying temperatures and ice content levels. The findings reveal that the internal friction angle and cohesion of glacial till-ice composite undergo stage-wise changes with temperature, with the most pronounced reduction in strength observed within the −3 to −5 °C range. Furthermore, within this temperature interval, the cohesion of glacial till-ice composite demonstrates an exponential increase with rising ice content. In contrast to conventional frozen soils, glacial till-ice composites exhibit strength degradation over a narrower temperature range, characterized by accelerated strength attenuation and more significant strength loss during the deterioration process. To quantify these effects, Boltzmann and exponential attenuation functions were introduced to describe the influence of temperature and ice content on the shear strength of glacial till-ice composite. Based on the experimental results, a critical shear strength line for glacial till-ice composite was established as a function of temperature and ice content, and a strength degradation model incorporating these variables was developed. This model offers theoretical backing for disaster prevention and risk assessment of glacier debris flows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"243 ","pages":"Article 104776"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-28DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104773
Saken Sandybay , Islam Orynbassarov , Chang-Seon Shon , Dichuan Zhang , Jong Ryeol Kim , Chul-Woo Chung
Abrasives are essential for surface treatment in cold climates, where snow and ice pose significant challenges to transportation infrastructure and road safety. This study addresses the growing need for effective, sustainable winter road maintenance (WRM) methods by exploring basic oxygen furnace slag (BOFS) as an alternative abrasive for ice-melting applications. Fresh and stockpiled (aged) BOFSs were first evaluated for their physical and mechanical properties, including abrasive angularity, absorption capacity, and thermal capacity, to assess their potential for improved surface treatment for ice melting. Then, BOFS was combined with deicing salts, such as sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) to form a blended ice-melting agent for winter maintenance. A series of laboratory tests was conducted to evaluate ice-melting performance using a petri dish and polishing ice-melting tests, as well as to examine surface temperature and clogging effects after abrasive application under controlled conditions. The experimental results show that both BOFS demonstrated good ice-melting efficiency and had higher heat and water absorption capacities than natural abrasives. For instance, slag-based abrasives show approximately 30–40 % higher ice-melting efficiency than river sand and exhibit a 2–3 °C higher temperature rise under sunlight exposure. The findings of this study highlight the potential of BOFS not only as a viable abrasive material but also as a way to reduce environmental impacts associated with traditional practices that use natural sand. This research lays the groundwork for adopting slag as a sustainable alternative to conventional WRM abrasives, balancing performance, cost, and environmental considerations.
{"title":"Sustainable utilization of steel slags as road abrasives for ice melting application","authors":"Saken Sandybay , Islam Orynbassarov , Chang-Seon Shon , Dichuan Zhang , Jong Ryeol Kim , Chul-Woo Chung","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104773","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104773","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Abrasives are essential for surface treatment in cold climates, where snow and ice pose significant challenges to transportation infrastructure and road safety. This study addresses the growing need for effective, sustainable winter road maintenance (WRM) methods by exploring basic oxygen furnace slag (BOFS) as an alternative abrasive for ice-melting applications. Fresh and stockpiled (aged) BOFSs were first evaluated for their physical and mechanical properties, including abrasive angularity, absorption capacity, and thermal capacity, to assess their potential for improved surface treatment for ice melting. Then, BOFS was combined with deicing salts, such as sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) to form a blended ice-melting agent for winter maintenance. A series of laboratory tests was conducted to evaluate ice-melting performance using a petri dish and polishing ice-melting tests, as well as to examine surface temperature and clogging effects after abrasive application under controlled conditions. The experimental results show that both BOFS demonstrated good ice-melting efficiency and had higher heat and water absorption capacities than natural abrasives. For instance, slag-based abrasives show approximately 30–40 % higher ice-melting efficiency than river sand and exhibit a 2–3 °C higher temperature rise under sunlight exposure. The findings of this study highlight the potential of BOFS not only as a viable abrasive material but also as a way to reduce environmental impacts associated with traditional practices that use natural sand. This research lays the groundwork for adopting slag as a sustainable alternative to conventional WRM abrasives, balancing performance, cost, and environmental considerations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 104773"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145681395","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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