Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104810
Yiliang Li, Jianguo Wei, Yuming Zhou
Road icing poses a significant threat to traffic safety and the durability of infrastructure in cold regions, necessitating the development of efficient and environmentally friendly snow-melting and anti-icing technologies, as well as accurate ice prediction methods. This paper systematically reviews and analyzes the current status of research and development trends in road snow-melting and anti-icing technologies, along with ice prediction methods, through CiteSpace bibliometric analysis and a literature review. It focuses on dissecting the research hotspots and future development directions of ice prediction technologies. A comparative analysis is conducted on the types, principles, applicable scenarios, de-icing efficiency, and environmental benefits of road snow-melting and anti-icing technologies. Additionally, the core principles and technical characteristics of road ice monitoring technologies are explored. Finally, the paper identifies existing challenges and future research prospects concerning road snow-melting, anti-icing, and ice monitoring technologies. This paper aims to provide references for ice prevention and treatment in road engineering, promoting a transition from passive response to active prevention and control in road de-icing, thereby enhancing road safety and the durability of infrastructure.
{"title":"Efficiency and environmental benefits of road snow-melting, anti-icing and icing smart detection technologies in cold regions: Review and discussion","authors":"Yiliang Li, Jianguo Wei, Yuming Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104810","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104810","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Road icing poses a significant threat to traffic safety and the durability of infrastructure in cold regions, necessitating the development of efficient and environmentally friendly snow-melting and anti-icing technologies, as well as accurate ice prediction methods. This paper systematically reviews and analyzes the current status of research and development trends in road snow-melting and anti-icing technologies, along with ice prediction methods, through CiteSpace bibliometric analysis and a literature review. It focuses on dissecting the research hotspots and future development directions of ice prediction technologies. A comparative analysis is conducted on the types, principles, applicable scenarios, de-icing efficiency, and environmental benefits of road snow-melting and anti-icing technologies. Additionally, the core principles and technical characteristics of road ice monitoring technologies are explored. Finally, the paper identifies existing challenges and future research prospects concerning road snow-melting, anti-icing, and ice monitoring technologies. This paper aims to provide references for ice prevention and treatment in road engineering, promoting a transition from passive response to active prevention and control in road de-icing, thereby enhancing road safety and the durability of infrastructure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"244 ","pages":"Article 104810"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145881969","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}
With the increasing operating speed of high-speed trains, the aerodynamic flow induced by trains during tunnel traversal exerts a growing impact on the thermal environment of cold-region tunnels. Based on the temperature monitoring data from the Wafangdian Tunnel, this study defines two thermal conditions: the positive-effect condition (P-Condition) and the negative-effect condition (N-Condition). Utilizing the validated numerical model, this study first analyzed the effect of train-induced wind on the tunnel thermal environment under the two conditions, then systematically investigated the regulatory roles of blocking ratio (B), train speed (v), and train length (L). The results indicate that under the N-Condition, the train-induced wind serves as a “cold pump,” which significantly enhances heat dissipation. This leads to a net heat loss of 85.22 × 103 kJ, thus impairing the tunnel's thermal insulation. Conversely, under the P-Condition, the wind operates as a “heat source,” generating a cumulative net heat gain of 168.47 × 103 kJ (equivalent to the heat from 20.12 kg of raw coal combustion, calorific value 8374 kJ/kg) and thereby benefiting the anti-freezing capacity. Furthermore, factors B, v, and L significantly regulate the tunnel thermal environment. Under N-Condition, higher values of these factors intensify heat dissipation, which is unfavorable for maintaining anti-freezing performance. Conversely, under P-Condition, increased levels promote heat accumulation within the tunnel, thereby enhancing freeze resistance. Based on this, during the operation, it is recommended to prioritize the monitoring of dynamic changes in the thermal condition, and further optimize the tunnel's anti-freezing performance by reasonably adjusting train operation parameters.
{"title":"Research on the effects of train-induced wind on the thermal environment of tunnels in seasonally frozen regions","authors":"JinHang Qin , Keguo Sun , Chao Xiao , Tangjie Zheng , Yuchao Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104817","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104817","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the increasing operating speed of high-speed trains, the aerodynamic flow induced by trains during tunnel traversal exerts a growing impact on the thermal environment of cold-region tunnels. Based on the temperature monitoring data from the Wafangdian Tunnel, this study defines two thermal conditions: the positive-effect condition (P-Condition) and the negative-effect condition (N-Condition). Utilizing the validated numerical model, this study first analyzed the effect of train-induced wind on the tunnel thermal environment under the two conditions, then systematically investigated the regulatory roles of blocking ratio (<em>B</em>), train speed (<em>v</em>), and train length (<em>L</em>). The results indicate that under the N-Condition, the train-induced wind serves as a “cold pump,” which significantly enhances heat dissipation. This leads to a net heat loss of 85.22 × 10<sup>3</sup> kJ, thus impairing the tunnel's thermal insulation. Conversely, under the P-Condition, the wind operates as a “heat source,” generating a cumulative net heat gain of 168.47 × 10<sup>3</sup> kJ (equivalent to the heat from 20.12 kg of raw coal combustion, calorific value 8374 kJ/kg) and thereby benefiting the anti-freezing capacity. Furthermore, factors <em>B</em>, <em>v</em>, and <em>L</em> significantly regulate the tunnel thermal environment. Under N-Condition, higher values of these factors intensify heat dissipation, which is unfavorable for maintaining anti-freezing performance. Conversely, under P-Condition, increased levels promote heat accumulation within the tunnel, thereby enhancing freeze resistance. Based on this, during the operation, it is recommended to prioritize the monitoring of dynamic changes in the thermal condition, and further optimize the tunnel's anti-freezing performance by reasonably adjusting train operation parameters.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"244 ","pages":"Article 104817"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922123","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 : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-18DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104798
Xiangtian Xu , Jingjie Bai , Yongtao Wang , Qing Wang , Jiwei Wang , Yuhang Liu
Rapid in-situ freezing tests were conducted using a self-developed soil frost heave-induced pressure (FHIP) testing system on sandy soil with varying initial saturations and target freezing temperatures under lateral rigid constraints. The temperature evolution and the FHIP development at the sidewall and center of cubic soil specimens were continuously monitored and analyzed. The results indicate that FHIP development proceeds through four distinct stages: pre-cooling, sidewall FHIP rapid growth, center FHIP rapid growth, and subsequent decline. Both the initial saturation and the target freezing temperature strongly affect FHIP, whereby higher initial saturation and lower target freezing temperature produce higher peak and stable FHIP values. Microscopic analyses reveal that in unsaturated soils, in-situ frost heave involves the synergistic separation and embedding of soil particles, accompanied by continuous particle rearrangement from the onset of FHIP generation to its stabilization. Prediction models for both the maximum and stable FHIP, incorporating initial saturation and freezing rate, were established and shown to reproduce the experimental results with high accuracy. This study presents a novel testing methodology and calculational framework for in-situ frost heave and FHIP in soils, offering valuable insights for analyzing frost-damage mechanisms in cold-region foundations and for the design of frost-resistant structures.
{"title":"Experimental investigation and calculation prediction model of frost heave-induced pressure in sand under lateral constraint freezing condition","authors":"Xiangtian Xu , Jingjie Bai , Yongtao Wang , Qing Wang , Jiwei Wang , Yuhang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104798","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104798","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rapid in-situ freezing tests were conducted using a self-developed soil frost heave-induced pressure (FHIP) testing system on sandy soil with varying initial saturations and target freezing temperatures under lateral rigid constraints. The temperature evolution and the FHIP development at the sidewall and center of cubic soil specimens were continuously monitored and analyzed. The results indicate that FHIP development proceeds through four distinct stages: pre-cooling, sidewall FHIP rapid growth, center FHIP rapid growth, and subsequent decline. Both the initial saturation and the target freezing temperature strongly affect FHIP, whereby higher initial saturation and lower target freezing temperature produce higher peak and stable FHIP values. Microscopic analyses reveal that in unsaturated soils, in-situ frost heave involves the synergistic separation and embedding of soil particles, accompanied by continuous particle rearrangement from the onset of FHIP generation to its stabilization. Prediction models for both the maximum and stable FHIP, incorporating initial saturation and freezing rate, were established and shown to reproduce the experimental results with high accuracy. This study presents a novel testing methodology and calculational framework for in-situ frost heave and FHIP in soils, offering valuable insights for analyzing frost-damage mechanisms in cold-region foundations and for the design of frost-resistant structures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"244 ","pages":"Article 104798"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145838748","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 : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104827
Jiwei Zhang , Jiahao Zhang , Qingzhi Wang , Song Zhang , Shujie Liu , Yao Liu , Yuhao Wang , Ligang Zhang , Xiongbo Zhang
Accurately determining the freezing state and non-closure distances of artificial frozen walls is crucial for evaluating their development effectiveness. However, under complex field conditions, traditional thermometer hole monitoring methods have limitations such as a limited number and fixed positions, leading to difficulties in detection or inaccurate results. This study conducted laboratory bidirectional freezing tests, integrating temperature and water content monitoring with NM-4A non-metallic ultrasonic testing technology to systematically analyze the evolutionary patterns of ultrasonic time-frequency parameters during the freezing process of loess with different water contents. The results show that phased sharp increases in P-wave velocity (Vp) and head wave amplitude (Ah), the transition of the frequency spectrum from multi-peak to single-peak, and abrupt changes in centroid frequency (fc) and kurtosis of the frequency spectrum (KFS) can serve as key criteria for judging frozen wall closure. Dynamic changes in the reflection coefficient (rI), transmission coefficients (tP, tI), and acoustic impedance field are the main mechanisms affecting ultrasonic propagation characteristics. Based on ray acoustics theory, a prediction equation for non-closure distances was established. Validation demonstrated high accuracy, with error ranges of 0.001–6.293 mm for laboratory tests and the accuracy range is 76.82% ∼ 91.56% for field measurements. Incorporating the four parameters (Vp, Ah, fc, KFS) into radar charts enables qualitative evaluation of the frozen wall closure state. The ultrasonic testing method formed by combining this qualitative evaluation with the prediction equation provides an efficient and reliable technical means for judging the closure and quantifying the non-closure distance of bidirectionally frozen loess walls.
{"title":"Detection of the freezing state and non-closure distances of loess with different water contents under bidirectional freezing by ultrasonic testing","authors":"Jiwei Zhang , Jiahao Zhang , Qingzhi Wang , Song Zhang , Shujie Liu , Yao Liu , Yuhao Wang , Ligang Zhang , Xiongbo Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104827","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104827","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurately determining the freezing state and non-closure distances of artificial frozen walls is crucial for evaluating their development effectiveness. However, under complex field conditions, traditional thermometer hole monitoring methods have limitations such as a limited number and fixed positions, leading to difficulties in detection or inaccurate results. This study conducted laboratory bidirectional freezing tests, integrating temperature and water content monitoring with NM-4A non-metallic ultrasonic testing technology to systematically analyze the evolutionary patterns of ultrasonic time-frequency parameters during the freezing process of loess with different water contents. The results show that phased sharp increases in P-wave velocity <em>(V</em><sub><em>p</em></sub>) and head wave amplitude (<em>A</em><sub><em>h</em></sub>), the transition of the frequency spectrum from multi-peak to single-peak, and abrupt changes in centroid frequency (<em>f</em><sub><em>c</em></sub>) and kurtosis of the frequency spectrum (<em>KFS</em>) can serve as key criteria for judging frozen wall closure. Dynamic changes in the reflection coefficient (<em>r</em><sub><em>I</em></sub>), transmission coefficients (<em>t</em><sub><em>P</em></sub>, <em>t</em><sub><em>I</em></sub>), and acoustic impedance field are the main mechanisms affecting ultrasonic propagation characteristics. Based on ray acoustics theory, a prediction equation for non-closure distances was established. Validation demonstrated high accuracy, with error ranges of 0.001–6.293 mm for laboratory tests and the accuracy range is 76.82% ∼ 91.56% for field measurements. Incorporating the four parameters (<em>V</em><sub><em>p</em></sub>, <em>A</em><sub><em>h</em></sub>, <em>f</em><sub><em>c</em></sub>, <em>KFS</em>) into radar charts enables qualitative evaluation of the frozen wall closure state. The ultrasonic testing method formed by combining this qualitative evaluation with the prediction equation provides an efficient and reliable technical means for judging the closure and quantifying the non-closure distance of bidirectionally frozen loess walls.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"244 ","pages":"Article 104827"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973482","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 : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104813
Weitong Xia , Yujie Wang , Shicong Sun , Fengyuan Wu , Jing Liu , Qingbo Yu
Carbonate saline soil affected by soluble salts show a bimodal grain-size distribution and is highly erodible and prone to engineering hazards such as seepage erosion and slope instability. However, detailed studies on the influence mechanism of soluble salts on gap-graded characteristics remain limited, especially concerning the more complex particle reorganisation under freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles. Therefore, this study investigated non-saline soil (NS), low-salinity saline soil (LS), and high-salinity saline soil (HS) to examine their differences in particle size distribution, the uniformity coefficient, the degree of soil particle variation, and microstructural characteristics under different F-T cycles. The particle size distribution of NS was unimodal, while LS and HS exhibited a distinct bimodal particle size distribution. A critical boundary particle size of approximately 30 μm was identified, effectively demarcating the dominant processes: coarse particles larger than 30 μm predominantly underwent fragmentation, while those smaller than 30 μm tended to agglomerate. Soluble salts influenced the gap-graded characteristics through the dispersing effect of dissolved salts on fine particles and the cementing effect of crystalline salts on coarse particles. Therefore, compared with NS, both LS and HS exhibited larger dominant particle sizes and a higher uniformity coefficient before F-T cycles. After F-T cycles, driven by the diffuse double layer shell effect and cryogenic suction, unfrozen water in fine inter-particle pores migrated continuously into coarse inter-particle pores and underwent ice formation. This process simultaneously induced recrystallisation and agglomeration of fine particles, whereas the degree of fragmentation of coarse particles increased significantly. Furthermore, soil salinity had a two-phase impact on the agglomeration of fine particles. Specifically, compression of the diffuse double layer induced by high sodium ion concentrations during the freezing process counteracted the tendency of the diffuse double layer to thicken under low sodium ionic valence, further promoting the agglomeration of fine particles. The findings from this study can provide a theoretical foundation for mitigating salinisation and erosion hazards in saline soils of regions that undergo seasonal freezing.
{"title":"The impact of soluble salt on the reconstruction of saline gap-graded soil particle composition during freeze-thaw cycles","authors":"Weitong Xia , Yujie Wang , Shicong Sun , Fengyuan Wu , Jing Liu , Qingbo Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104813","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104813","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carbonate saline soil affected by soluble salts show a bimodal grain-size distribution and is highly erodible and prone to engineering hazards such as seepage erosion and slope instability. However, detailed studies on the influence mechanism of soluble salts on gap-graded characteristics remain limited, especially concerning the more complex particle reorganisation under freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles. Therefore, this study investigated non-saline soil (NS), low-salinity saline soil (LS), and high-salinity saline soil (HS) to examine their differences in particle size distribution, the uniformity coefficient, the degree of soil particle variation, and microstructural characteristics under different F-T cycles. The particle size distribution of NS was unimodal, while LS and HS exhibited a distinct bimodal particle size distribution. A critical boundary particle size of approximately 30 μm was identified, effectively demarcating the dominant processes: coarse particles larger than 30 μm predominantly underwent fragmentation, while those smaller than 30 μm tended to agglomerate. Soluble salts influenced the gap-graded characteristics through the dispersing effect of dissolved salts on fine particles and the cementing effect of crystalline salts on coarse particles. Therefore, compared with NS, both LS and HS exhibited larger dominant particle sizes and a higher uniformity coefficient before F-T cycles. After F-T cycles, driven by the diffuse double layer shell effect and cryogenic suction, unfrozen water in fine inter-particle pores migrated continuously into coarse inter-particle pores and underwent ice formation. This process simultaneously induced recrystallisation and agglomeration of fine particles, whereas the degree of fragmentation of coarse particles increased significantly. Furthermore, soil salinity had a two-phase impact on the agglomeration of fine particles. Specifically, compression of the diffuse double layer induced by high sodium ion concentrations during the freezing process counteracted the tendency of the diffuse double layer to thicken under low sodium ionic valence, further promoting the agglomeration of fine particles. The findings from this study can provide a theoretical foundation for mitigating salinisation and erosion hazards in saline soils of regions that undergo seasonal freezing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"244 ","pages":"Article 104813"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973478","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 : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104826
Tian Xu , Peng Zhang , Pan Guo , Wei Liu
Natural gas pipelines are widely distributed across cold regions, where they are threatened by frost heave. Parameter uncertainty and the complex mechanism of frost heave limit the reliability assessment of pipelines in cold regions. This study presents a novel framework to overcome these limitations in implementing reliability analysis. In the framework, the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method is incorporated to quantify uncertainty by generating a larger number of samples. A data-driven Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) model is developed to avoid the complex Limit State Function (LSF) for calculating pipeline damage. A closed-form Elastic Foundation Beam Model (EFBM) is developed to evaluate frost-heave-induced pipeline damage and to generate the database for training the BPNN model. The results indicate that the developed BPNN model can accurately predict frost-heave-induced bending stress, with a maximum error of 13.6 MPa. From the perspective of hazard mitigation, the finding reveals that targeting the frost-heave height is the most effective measure for improving reliability, which reduces additional failure probability by 18% and 42% compared with other measures. As mitigation levels increase, the uncertainty-induced pipeline failure probability discrepancy reaches 10.7%. The analysis results can guide targeted management strategies to improve the structural resilience of pipelines in cold regions.
{"title":"Data-driven natural gas pipeline reliability evaluation focusing on the mitigation effectiveness for frost heave in cold regions","authors":"Tian Xu , Peng Zhang , Pan Guo , Wei Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104826","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104826","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Natural gas pipelines are widely distributed across cold regions, where they are threatened by frost heave. Parameter uncertainty and the complex mechanism of frost heave limit the reliability assessment of pipelines in cold regions. This study presents a novel framework to overcome these limitations in implementing reliability analysis. In the framework, the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method is incorporated to quantify uncertainty by generating a larger number of samples. A data-driven Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) model is developed to avoid the complex Limit State Function (LSF) for calculating pipeline damage. A closed-form Elastic Foundation Beam Model (EFBM) is developed to evaluate frost-heave-induced pipeline damage and to generate the database for training the BPNN model. The results indicate that the developed BPNN model can accurately predict frost-heave-induced bending stress, with a maximum error of 13.6 MPa. From the perspective of hazard mitigation, the finding reveals that targeting the frost-heave height is the most effective measure for improving reliability, which reduces additional failure probability by 18% and 42% compared with other measures. As mitigation levels increase, the uncertainty-induced pipeline failure probability discrepancy reaches 10.7%. The analysis results can guide targeted management strategies to improve the structural resilience of pipelines in cold regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"244 ","pages":"Article 104826"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922122","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}
While many previous compression tests on compacted snow have employed displacement-controlled loading, studies under stress-rate control remain limited, even though compression under external pressure may better reflect engineering reality. To advance understanding of the compressive behavior of compacted snow under stress-controlled loading, this study prepared two types of specimens with average densities of 566 and 662 kg/m3 and conducted uniaxial compression tests across a wide range of stress rates, from 1.11 to 555.56 kPa/s, to capture transitions in failure behavior. Analysis of stress-strain curves, loading rate time histories, and visual records identified two ductile and three brittle failure modes that emerged with increasing stress rate, including modes not documented in displacement-controlled investigations. It was found that while the relationship between compressive strength and loading rate aligns with existing conclusions, the trend between modulus of deformation and stress rate depends on the types of specimens, which differed markedly in overall integrity during compression failure. Comparisons between stress-rate- and displacement-controlled compression further revealed their inherent complexity, indicating distinct physical mechanisms governing instability and failure under different loading controls, and demonstrating the inadequacy of mechanical testing conducted solely under the displacement-controlled regime. This study emphasizes the need to distinguish between local and overall failure when characterizing the mechanical properties of compacted snow, reaffirms the importance of snow densification, and identifies boundary stress rates between failure modes, offering useful context for future experimental and engineering studies involving compacted snow.
{"title":"Stress-rate-controlled compression behavior of compacted snow","authors":"Yuanpeng Zheng , Tao Chen , Chao Jiang , Qinghua Huang , Xiang-Lin Gu","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104821","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104821","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>While many previous compression tests on compacted snow have employed displacement-controlled loading, studies under stress-rate control remain limited, even though compression under external pressure may better reflect engineering reality. To advance understanding of the compressive behavior of compacted snow under stress-controlled loading, this study prepared two types of specimens with average densities of 566 and 662 kg/m<sup>3</sup> and conducted uniaxial compression tests across a wide range of stress rates, from 1.11 to 555.56 kPa/s, to capture transitions in failure behavior. Analysis of stress-strain curves, loading rate time histories, and visual records identified two ductile and three brittle failure modes that emerged with increasing stress rate, including modes not documented in displacement-controlled investigations. It was found that while the relationship between compressive strength and loading rate aligns with existing conclusions, the trend between modulus of deformation and stress rate depends on the types of specimens, which differed markedly in overall integrity during compression failure. Comparisons between stress-rate- and displacement-controlled compression further revealed their inherent complexity, indicating distinct physical mechanisms governing instability and failure under different loading controls, and demonstrating the inadequacy of mechanical testing conducted solely under the displacement-controlled regime. This study emphasizes the need to distinguish between local and overall failure when characterizing the mechanical properties of compacted snow, reaffirms the importance of snow densification, and identifies boundary stress rates between failure modes, offering useful context for future experimental and engineering studies involving compacted snow.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"244 ","pages":"Article 104821"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973479","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 : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104814
Jun Hu , Huajing Gan , Tingfen Ye , Dukun Zhao , Shuai Zhang
With the rapid economic development of tropical coastal cities, undersea tunnels have become a crucial component of urban three-dimensional transport infrastructure. However, in addition to traditional construction challenges, tropical undersea tunnels also encounter significant risks related to freezing, thawing, and subsidence. The pipe curtain freezing method is the primary technique employed to address the issues of thawing and sinking of soft strata during the construction of tropical undersea tunnels. Inaccurate understanding of the variations in the thawing temperature field can result in rapid settlement during the thawing process, making the study of the thawing temperature field a critical issue. This study, set against the backdrop of the Sanya estuary channel project, employs both physical similarity tests and numerical simulations to validate findings mutually. It systematically elucidates the evolution of the forced thawing temperature field and the thawing behavior of permafrost using the pipe curtain freezing method. The results indicate that forced thawing significantly reduces the thawing cycle of the soil mass. Specifically, the temperature rise rate at monitoring points is faster the closer they are to the freezing tubes, followed by a brief phase change latent heat period; conversely, the further the distance from the tubes, the longer the phase change duration. The trends in temperature changes observed through both research methods during the thawing process are largely consistent, with temperature differences ranging from 1.5 °C to 2 °C, confirming the reliability of the numerical model. Furthermore, the thawing duration of the soil mass markedly decreases as the temperature of the circulating hot water increases. However, this effect becomes negligible when the circulating hot water temperature reaches 50 °Cor higher, indicating a threshold state between the thawing duration and water temperature increase, wherein thawing does not decrease linearly with temperature. The study establishes that there is an optimal thawing temperature for the pipe curtain freezing construction in tropical underwater tunnels, highlighting the importance of selecting an appropriate thawing temperature during actual construction processes.
{"title":"Study on the influence of temperature field during thawing and sinking process of tropical undersea tunnel based on pipe curtain freezing method","authors":"Jun Hu , Huajing Gan , Tingfen Ye , Dukun Zhao , Shuai Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104814","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104814","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the rapid economic development of tropical coastal cities, undersea tunnels have become a crucial component of urban three-dimensional transport infrastructure. However, in addition to traditional construction challenges, tropical undersea tunnels also encounter significant risks related to freezing, thawing, and subsidence. The pipe curtain freezing method is the primary technique employed to address the issues of thawing and sinking of soft strata during the construction of tropical undersea tunnels. Inaccurate understanding of the variations in the thawing temperature field can result in rapid settlement during the thawing process, making the study of the thawing temperature field a critical issue. This study, set against the backdrop of the Sanya estuary channel project, employs both physical similarity tests and numerical simulations to validate findings mutually. It systematically elucidates the evolution of the forced thawing temperature field and the thawing behavior of permafrost using the pipe curtain freezing method. The results indicate that forced thawing significantly reduces the thawing cycle of the soil mass. Specifically, the temperature rise rate at monitoring points is faster the closer they are to the freezing tubes, followed by a brief phase change latent heat period; conversely, the further the distance from the tubes, the longer the phase change duration. The trends in temperature changes observed through both research methods during the thawing process are largely consistent, with temperature differences ranging from 1.5 °C to 2 °C, confirming the reliability of the numerical model. Furthermore, the thawing duration of the soil mass markedly decreases as the temperature of the circulating hot water increases. However, this effect becomes negligible when the circulating hot water temperature reaches 50 °Cor higher, indicating a threshold state between the thawing duration and water temperature increase, wherein thawing does not decrease linearly with temperature. The study establishes that there is an optimal thawing temperature for the pipe curtain freezing construction in tropical underwater tunnels, highlighting the importance of selecting an appropriate thawing temperature during actual construction processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"244 ","pages":"Article 104814"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922051","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 : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-05DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104819
Osvaldo Franco-Ramos , Jaime Boyano-Galiano , Alberto Muñoz-Torrero Manchado , Juan Ignacio López-Moreno , Juan Antonio Ballesteros-Cánovas
Snow avalanches are significant natural hazards in mountainous regions, and their frequency and magnitude are increasingly influenced by changing climatic conditions. This study presents a multi-proxy reconstruction of snow avalanche activity over the past century (1910–2014 CE) in the Canfranc Valley, Central Spanish Pyrenees. The reconstruction integrates geomorphic mapping, dendrochronology, historical archives, and climatic data. A total of 345 trees were sampled and analysed, yielding 1322 growth disturbances (GD), which enabled the reconstruction of 30 and 27 avalanche events in the Estiviellas (ES) and Rinconada (RI) paths, respectively. The analysis was complemented by geomorphological assessments based on high-resolution LiDAR-derived terrain models, along with historical records and fieldwork validation. Also, avalanche size was estimated using a bivariate statistical model based on runout distance and width, both inferred from the most distal affected trees. These size proxies, combined with return period analyses, indicate that the largest avalanches (e.g., 1962, 1986, 1993) occurred more frequently in the second half of the 20th century, while recent decades have been characterized by smaller but more frequent events, typically confined to upper slopes. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was applied to examine the relationships between reconstructed avalanche activity, snowpack, climate variables, and atmospheric circulation anomalies. Results show that negative phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) enhance precipitation and lower temperatures, thereby increasing snowpack depth and avalanche probability. Snowpack emerged as the principal mediator between meteorological variables and avalanche activity. Although long-term trends indicate increasing temperatures and precipitation, their direct influence on avalanche size was limited. These findings underscore the non-linear and threshold-dependent nature of avalanche dynamics and highlight the critical role of snowpack and regional climate variability. The observed decline in avalanche size and the shift toward smaller, more frequent events may reflect broader cryospheric transformations under warming conditions. This study provides valuable insights for risk assessment and the development of adaptive hazard management strategies in mountain environments affected by climate change.
{"title":"Climate snow-avalanche linkage revealed by geomorphological, historical and tree-ring records in the central Spanish Pyrenees","authors":"Osvaldo Franco-Ramos , Jaime Boyano-Galiano , Alberto Muñoz-Torrero Manchado , Juan Ignacio López-Moreno , Juan Antonio Ballesteros-Cánovas","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104819","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104819","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Snow avalanches are significant natural hazards in mountainous regions, and their frequency and magnitude are increasingly influenced by changing climatic conditions. This study presents a multi-proxy reconstruction of snow avalanche activity over the past century (1910–2014 CE) in the Canfranc Valley, Central Spanish Pyrenees. The reconstruction integrates geomorphic mapping, dendrochronology, historical archives, and climatic data. A total of 345 trees were sampled and analysed, yielding 1322 growth disturbances (GD), which enabled the reconstruction of 30 and 27 avalanche events in the Estiviellas (ES) and Rinconada (RI) paths, respectively. The analysis was complemented by geomorphological assessments based on high-resolution LiDAR-derived terrain models, along with historical records and fieldwork validation. Also, avalanche size was estimated using a bivariate statistical model based on runout distance and width, both inferred from the most distal affected trees. These size proxies, combined with return period analyses, indicate that the largest avalanches (e.g., 1962, 1986, 1993) occurred more frequently in the second half of the 20th century, while recent decades have been characterized by smaller but more frequent events, typically confined to upper slopes. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was applied to examine the relationships between reconstructed avalanche activity, snowpack, climate variables, and atmospheric circulation anomalies. Results show that negative phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) enhance precipitation and lower temperatures, thereby increasing snowpack depth and avalanche probability. Snowpack emerged as the principal mediator between meteorological variables and avalanche activity. Although long-term trends indicate increasing temperatures and precipitation, their direct influence on avalanche size was limited. These findings underscore the non-linear and threshold-dependent nature of avalanche dynamics and highlight the critical role of snowpack and regional climate variability. The observed decline in avalanche size and the shift toward smaller, more frequent events may reflect broader cryospheric transformations under warming conditions. This study provides valuable insights for risk assessment and the development of adaptive hazard management strategies in mountain environments affected by climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"244 ","pages":"Article 104819"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922124","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 : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104829
Can Ding , Shicheng Li , Joshua Johnson , Hailay Zeray Tedla , Eliisa Lotsari
Understanding the heat budget dynamics of high-latitude rivers is crucial for predicting thermal regimes, assessing the impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems, and informing effective water resource management. Despite their importance, detailed studies on the seasonal and transitional heat exchange processes in cold region environments remain limited. This study investigates the annual heat budget and seasonal variations of the Vantaanjoki River in southern Finland, with a particular focus on the influence of ice cover processes. Using meteorological, remote sensing, and in-situ measurements data collected from November 2022 to October 2023, a water/ice-air heat exchange analysis was performed to analyze four primary heat components: shortwave radiation, longwave radiation, sensible heat, and latent heat. The results show pronounced seasonal variations, with summer months dominated by shortwave radiation as the main heat gain source, while winter periods are characterized by significant heat losses due to longwave radiation. The annual net heat flux averaged −11.6 W/m2, indicating a near-balanced energy exchange over the year. Ice dynamics were monitored via image-based estimation of ice cover fraction, allowing classification into three surface conditions: open channel, partially ice-covered, and fully ice-covered. During freezing periods, longwave radiation accounted for over 60% of total heat loss, while shortwave radiation contributed marginally. In contrast, during melting periods, shortwave radiation became a more prominent heat gain component. The results provide critical insights into river heat budgets in high-latitude environments and contribute to improved understanding of river-atmosphere interactions under changing climatic conditions.
{"title":"Annual heat budget and seasonal variations in a northern river with ice processes","authors":"Can Ding , Shicheng Li , Joshua Johnson , Hailay Zeray Tedla , Eliisa Lotsari","doi":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104829","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104829","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the heat budget dynamics of high-latitude rivers is crucial for predicting thermal regimes, assessing the impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems, and informing effective water resource management. Despite their importance, detailed studies on the seasonal and transitional heat exchange processes in cold region environments remain limited. This study investigates the annual heat budget and seasonal variations of the Vantaanjoki River in southern Finland, with a particular focus on the influence of ice cover processes. Using meteorological, remote sensing, and in-situ measurements data collected from November 2022 to October 2023, a water/ice-air heat exchange analysis was performed to analyze four primary heat components: shortwave radiation, longwave radiation, sensible heat, and latent heat. The results show pronounced seasonal variations, with summer months dominated by shortwave radiation as the main heat gain source, while winter periods are characterized by significant heat losses due to longwave radiation. The annual net heat flux averaged −11.6 W/m<sup>2</sup>, indicating a near-balanced energy exchange over the year. Ice dynamics were monitored via image-based estimation of ice cover fraction, allowing classification into three surface conditions: open channel, partially ice-covered, and fully ice-covered. During freezing periods, longwave radiation accounted for over 60% of total heat loss, while shortwave radiation contributed marginally. In contrast, during melting periods, shortwave radiation became a more prominent heat gain component. The results provide critical insights into river heat budgets in high-latitude environments and contribute to improved understanding of river-atmosphere interactions under changing climatic conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10522,"journal":{"name":"Cold Regions Science and Technology","volume":"244 ","pages":"Article 104829"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973561","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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