Engineering Geology最新文献

{"title":"Integration of seasonal frequency domain electromagnetic surveys and geological data for assessing the integrity of earthen levee systems. The case study of the Panaro River (Northern Italy)","authors":"N. Bertone ,&nbsp;E. Forte ,&nbsp;G. Titti ,&nbsp;R. Zambrini ,&nbsp;P. Macini ,&nbsp;A. Mocnik ,&nbsp;S. Parodi ,&nbsp;F. Pellegrini ,&nbsp;M. Possamai ,&nbsp;C. Staboli ,&nbsp;M. Valente ,&nbsp;L. Borgatti","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107749","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107749","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Floods rank among the most widespread and destructive natural hazards worldwide. The progressive degradation, impairment, and breach of earthen riverine levees can occur in both natural and anthropogenic environments, stemming from various scenarios or sequences of events. These may include hydraulic failure due to overtopping because of inadequate height, and structural failure occurring even prior to overtopping, due to insufficient geotechnical and hydraulic characteristics combined with external and internal erosion.</div><div>Following the catastrophic flood of December 2020, caused by the collapse of a section of the levee system of the Panaro River (a tributary of the Po River, Northern Italy), local Authorities initiated a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the breach. Numerous factors, including geological, geomorphological, and ecological features, were found to have contributed to the progressive decrease of the levee integrity prior to and during the flood. This prompted a broader multidisciplinary study of the Panaro River levee system.</div><div>The study expanded its focus to include the collapsed section (rebuilt in 2020), as well as an additional 30 km stretch of both the right and left levees north of Modena, totaling 60 km. Detailed geological and geophysical data were integrated into the analysis, with particular emphasis on evaluating the characteristics and integrity features of the levee system.</div><div>This analysis was carried out using Frequency Domain Electromagnetic Methods (FDEM) on the top of the levees, previously calibrated using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), geological mapping, core logs, and Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs). The FDEM surveys were repeated in different environmental conditions, specifically in the dry 2021 summer season and in the wet 2023 spring season, during heavy rainfalls that caused disastrous floods in several areas of the Emilia-Romagna Region. Out of the 60 km surveyed in the study area, the comparison of the two datasets highlights an interval of about 4 km where the internal portion of the levees is characterized by relatively coarse-grained materials and higher permeability making it more prone to internal erosion phenomena. This paper describes and integrates the results of these investigations, drawing attention to the strengths and limitations of the FDEM method when applied to extensive surveys on earthen riverine levee systems. The proposed methodology contributes as well to maintenance and retrofitting efforts to reduce flood risk in the context of the present climate change scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 107749"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142427301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A consistent terminology to communicate ground-related uncertainty","authors":"Georg H. Erharter ,&nbsp;Suzanne Lacasse ,&nbsp;Franz Tschuchnigg ,&nbsp;Ewald Tentschert ,&nbsp;Dennis Becker ,&nbsp;Kok-Kwang Phoon","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107744","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107744","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Engineering geology is highly affected by uncertainty related to geology, geotechnical parameters, models and methods. While the technical aspects of ground-related uncertainty are increasingly well investigated, the terminology to communicate uncertainty - e.g., “It is likely that X will happen.” - has not yet been unified and experts use it however they see fit. Due to varying experience, personal biases and societal backgrounds, people may understand uncertainty statements very differently, which is misleading and can even result in legal disputes. This contribution investigates the usage of uncertainty communicating terminology in ground-related disciplines and finds that there is a pronounced prevalence of uncertainty terminology in them. Furthermore, there is a special need to express uncertainty related to quantities (e.g. “most of the project area consists of…”). In response, we propose a framework to consistently communicate ground-related uncertainty encompassing three steps: 1. When you are certain about a statement, do not use uncertainty communicating language. 2. Assess and state the degree of confidence in a statement based on the quantity and quality of the available evidence vs. the agreement of the evidence. 3. If you have high or very high confidence in the statement, communicate the uncertainty in a consistent manner, otherwise elaborate how higher confidence can be achieved. The proposed approach feeds into new uncertainty-aware standards, such as Eurocode 7, and goes beyond them by addressing uncertainty in text and speech. This paper provides the premises for increased awareness of uncertainty communication and encourages further works on the topic.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 107744"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142427300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anti-seepage performance and oxygen barrier performance of the three-layered landfill cover system comprising neutralized slag under extreme climate conditions","authors":"Ming Min ,&nbsp;He-Fu Pu ,&nbsp;Xiao He ,&nbsp;Sheng-Yi Deng","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107750","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107750","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>For acidic industrial solid wastes, an effective cover system is needed to reduce the rainwater infiltration and oxygen intrusion, thus reducing the generation of acid mine drainage (AMD) from wastes. A three-layered cover using low-permeability neutralized slag (abbreviated as TCNS) at the bottom of the traditional capillary barrier cover is proposed, in line with the novel concept of “waste protecting waste”. This study investigates the anti-seepage performance and oxygen barrier performance of TCNS under extreme climate conditions, through laboratory column test and numerical simulations. The results show that the water content of the neutralized slag (NS) layer remained stable (i.e., changed by less than 0.02) under either extremely wet condition or extremely dry condition. Under extremely wet condition (i.e., heavy rainfall corresponding to a 50-year return period), no water percolation was observed at the cover bottom; under extremely dry conditions, oxygen diffusion was greatly impeded, e.g., after 208 days of column test, the SO₄²⁻ concentration in the AMD of the exposed (i.e., uncovered) waste rock was 4.6 times higher than that of the waste rock covered by TCNS. Numerical simulations considering two realistic climate conditions (i.e., humid and arid) showed that TCNS were effective in controlling water percolation and oxygen intrusion. The saturated permeability coefficient (<em>k</em>_<em>s</em>) and initial saturation degree (<em>S</em>_<em>e</em>) of the NS layer have significant effects on the performance of TCNS, i.e., decreasing <em>k</em>_<em>s</em> or increasing <em>S</em>_<em>e</em> can effectively reduce the water percolation and oxygen flux. In sum, TCNS is an effective barrier for controlling water percolation and oxygen intrusion, even in extreme climate conditions. Consequently, it can effectively minimize AMD leakage and thus reduce geological disasters such as groundwater contamination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 107750"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142427265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment, identifying, and presenting a plan for the stabilization of loessic soils exposed to scouring in the path of gas pipelines, case study: Maraveh-Tappeh city","authors":"Seyyed Reza Asadoullahtabar ,&nbsp;Ali Asgari ,&nbsp;Mahmoud Mohammad Rezapour Tabari","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107747","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107747","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dealing with collapsible soils consistently presents a crucial challenge for geological and geotechnical engineers. Loess soil is among the most widely recognized types of collapsible soils, covering approximately 10 % of the Earth's land surface. Loessic soil is a sedimentary deposit primarily composed of silt-size grains, loosely bound together by calcium carbonate. In Iran, approximately 17 % of Golestan province is covered by silty, clayey, and sandy loesses, primarily composed of loessic soil. Additionally, several energy transmission lines in this province traverse these loess-covered areas. Based on the reports from Golestan Gas Company experts, the scouring of gas pipeline channels in various regions, such as Dashli-Alum in Maraveh-Tappeh city, causes significant risks in the traffic roads and is one of the most critical issues facing this company. This research assessed the dispersion and collapse potentials of loess soil using a range of field exploration and laboratory testing methods. These methods included atomic absorption spectroscopy, the double hydrometer, scanning electron microscope photography, wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and consolidation tests. The results indicate that soil collapsibility was acquired as one of the components of the scouring phenomenon occurrences. To achieve an optimal solution, the effectiveness of the chemical stabilization method involving cement, bentonite, micro-silica, and synthesized nano‑titanium additives was evaluated through an oedometer, Atterberg limits, uniaxial compression, and direct shear tests. Additives dry mixing of cement and nano‑titanium were obtained as the optimal stabilization solutions against scouring compared to other additives. However, considering the environmental impacts of cement production and use, nano‑titanium presents a more environmentally sustainable option due to CO₂ absorption and reduced damage potential to vegetation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 107747"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142426756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of crack depth on the initiation and propagation of crack-induced sliding in a paleosol area on a loess slope: Three-dimensional investigation based on model testing and laser scanning","authors":"Yanbo Zhu ,&nbsp;Yuxuan Zhang ,&nbsp;Hengxing Lan ,&nbsp;Jianbing Peng ,&nbsp;Huitao Zheng ,&nbsp;Dan Zhao ,&nbsp;Yanmeng Yin","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107745","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107745","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>On the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP), crack-induced sliding in paleosols triggers retrogressive slope collapse, compromising the long-term stability of loess slopes. Establishing a quantitative relationship between crack depth and slide size is key to elucidating the progressive evolution of crack-induced sliding in paleosols; however, research on this topic is scarce. In this study, a model test was conducted on a paleosol slope subjected to five drying–rainfall cycles. Three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning technology was employed to accurately quantify the variations in crack depth and slide size, and water content sensors were embedded to monitor the preferential flow changes induced by these cracks. Results reveal that crack depth plays a pivotal role in initiating and controlling the propagation of crack-induced sliding in paleosols by influencing the preferential flow capacity through cracks. In the slide initiation stage, a critical crack depth capable of triggering sliding by inducing a sufficiently significant preferential flow and large saturation zones was identified. The depth at which sliding occurs can be expressed as a variable dependent on crack depth based on the single triggering effect of cracking on sliding. Once a crack-induced slide is initiated, the combined action of prior sliding events and current crack propagation accelerates the subsequent sliding in terms of increased size and varying spatial locations by influencing the preferential flow capacity and sliding force values. A comprehensive empirical formula was established to characterize the depth of crack-induced slides, considering the dominant influence of crack depth and slope gradient on sliding development at this stage of slide evolution. Our findings emphasize the pivotal role of crack depth in triggering progressive crack-induced sliding in paleosols, thereby providing valuable insights for soil conservation in paleosol areas on loess slopes on the CLP.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 107745"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142427307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quantitative investigation of temperature-dependent bound water degeneration in bentonite clays","authors":"Nilufar Chowdhury,&nbsp;Omid Ghasemi-Fare","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107737","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107737","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Temperature increases in saturated clay alter the physicochemical clay-water interactions and may lead to the conversion of bound water into free water. These changes significantly influence the physical, chemical, and engineering properties of clays, which are critical for geotechnical and geological engineering and minimizing risks in areas with expansive clay soils. However, quantifying this phenomenon remains challenging in the literature. This study presents a robust experimental approach for quantifying the thermal-induced conversion of bound water in clays, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms governing their thermo-mechanical behavior. A novel experimental method is proposed to quantify the degenerated bound water content in a clay system subjected to temperatures ranging from 20 to 50 °C. The research employs the siphon principle to examine volume changes in a clay system at elevated temperatures, focusing on measuring the conversion of bound water to free water. This method accounts for thermal expansion of both the soil constituents and the confining glass cylinder, as well as potential evaporation losses. To validate the setup's accuracy, a calibration test using standard Ottawa sand with negligible bound water was performed. After measuring system error, the primary outcome was calibrated. Results showed that at 30 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C, 3 %, 9 %, and 15 % of the initial bound water, respectively, converted to free water.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 107737"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142427299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Caprock sealing integrity and key indicators of CO2 geological storage considering the effect of hydraulic-mechanical coupling: X field in the Bohai Bay Basin, China","authors":"Bowen Chen ,&nbsp;Qi Li ,&nbsp;Yongsheng Tan ,&nbsp;Yao Zhang ,&nbsp;Tao Yu ,&nbsp;Jiyuan Ma ,&nbsp;Yiyan Zhong ,&nbsp;Xiaying Li","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107741","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107741","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Caprock sealing efficiency is an essential guarantee for the long-term safety and stability of CO₂ geological storage (CCS). However, the uncertainty in the physical and mechanical properties of deep formations poses challenges to accurately predict the risks of CO₂ leakage resulting in CO₂ breakthrough or caprock fracture. This study aims to address the issue of imperfect key indicators for caprock sealing by focusing on the CCS project in the Bohai Bay Basin, China. A hydraulic-mechanical (HM) coupling program without considering multiphase flow and the chemical reactions is secondary developed based on the finite element software ABAQUS. Furthermore, a three-dimensional finite element numerical model is established for the analysis of HM coupling, with pore pressure increment (∆<em>P</em>_P), Coulomb failure stress (∆CFS) and displacement (U) as evaluation criteria. The Tornado analysis and response surface analysis are employed to analyze the impact of 17 indicators on the caprock sealing, including caprock thickness, burial depth, reservoir and caprock permeability parameters, and mechanical parameters. Subsequently, key performance indicators for caprock sealing are determined. The research results indicate that the reservoir permeability, injection rate, caprock permeability, caprock Young's modulus, caprock internal friction angle, caprock Poisson's ratio, and caprock burial depth are key indicators of caprock sealing capability. The reservoir permeability has a greater impact sensitivity compared to the caprock permeability. Pore pressure and displacement increase with increasing in reservoir permeability. The caprock's resistance to deformation and fracturing increases with increasing in Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of caprock. This study provides valuable insights for evaluating caprock sealing during CO₂ storage in saline aquifers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 107741"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142427303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"DEM simulations of particle dissolution effects on the passive earth pressure of retaining walls","authors":"Kai Cui ,&nbsp;Wei Ci ,&nbsp;Shangchuan Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107742","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107742","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Assessing passive earth pressure is fundamental in geotechnical engineering practice. Mineral dissolution in the soil can reduce the soil strength, causing an overestimation of passive earth pressure in design. In this study, the effect of dissolution on passive earth pressure on retaining walls is investigated by using discrete element method, taking into account three modes of motion: translation (mode <em>T</em>), rotation around the wall bottom (mode <em>RB</em>), and rotation around the wall top (mode <em>RT</em>). The simulations show that the particle dissolution results in a significant reduction in the passive earth pressure on retaining walls. The largest reductions of resultant force are about 73.5 % and 78.5 % in modes <em>T</em> and <em>RT</em> when wall displacement is minor. Nevertheless, when the wall displacement is large, the largest reduction in resultant force is approximately 74.7 % in mode <em>RB</em>. A detailed analysis is provided to explain this phenomenon. Dissolution also leads to weak force chains and an increase in soil porosity, thereby weakening wall-soil interactions. Dissolution has a significant effect on passive earth pressure of lower part's soil. This study suggests that reinforcing the lower part's soil and preventing seepage in this area can help mitigate the effects of dissolution on retaining walls.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 107742"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142357475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shear strength characteristics of unsaturated compacted GMZ bentonite considering anisotropy","authors":"Yu Lu ,&nbsp;Wei-min Ye ,&nbsp;Qiong Wang ,&nbsp;Yonggui Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107743","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107743","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anisotropic microstructure would be generated in the bentonite block during unidirectional compactions. Working as buffer materials, the compacted bentonite will inevitably experience shearing processes during the long-term operation of geological repositories. In this paper, high-pressure triaxial tests were conducted on unsaturated compacted GMZ bentonite specimens with different water contents, dry densities and confining stresses, with the compaction surface of the specimens oriented in both horizontally (H-type) and vertically (V-type) configurations. Results demonstrate that an increase in water content leads to a reduction in both peak strength and residual strength, while higher confining stresses enhance these strength parameters. Normally consolidated and lightly over-consolidated bentonite specimens display substantial shear deformation, whereas heavily over-consolidated specimens tend to experience brittle failure. Water content plays a significant role in shaping both the critical state line (CSL) and the Hvorslev surface (HS), with increasing water content resulting in decreased slope parameters for both and an increased intercept parameter for the HS. Generally, V-type specimens demonstrate a steeper CSL and an outwardly extended HS in contrast to that of H-type specimens. The critical state ratio for V-type specimens is about 10 % higher, and the friction angle is 2.8° greater, than that of the H-type ones. Moreover, this difference appears to increase with increasing water content. The difference of the HS slope parameter between the two specimens is minor, while the intercept parameter is higher for the V-type specimens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 107743"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142427238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating soil properties and their effects on freeze-thaw processes in a thermokarst lake region of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China","authors":"Xianmin Ke ,&nbsp;Wei Wang ,&nbsp;Fujun Niu ,&nbsp;Zeyong Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107734","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107734","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil parameters form the foundation of hydrogeological research and are crucial for studying engineering construction and maintenance, climate change, and ecological environment effects in cold regions. However, the soil properties in the permafrost region of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) remain unclear. Hence, in this study, soil temperature (T_s), volumetric specific heat capacity (C), thermal conductivity (K), thermal diffusivity (D), soil water content (SWC), electric conductivity (EC), vertical (<em>K</em>_<em>v</em>) and horizontal (<em>K</em>_<em>h</em>) saturated hydraulic conductivity, bulk density (ρ_b), and soil texture near the Qinghai-Tibet Railway were measured, and their effects on the freeze-thaw process were evaluated. The results revealed a predominantly sandy loam soil texture, with <em>K</em>_<em>h</em> and <em>K</em>_<em>v</em> showing strong spatial variability, while the other parameters presented moderate spatial variability. Thermokarst lake had a limited influence on D, C, K, and ρ_b but significantly reduced <em>K</em>_<em>h</em> and <em>K</em>_<em>v</em>. Groundwater affected SWC, T_s, and EC. The model results showed that all parameters indicated small sensitivities to the maximum thawing depth (MTD), with MTD positively responding to all parameters except for <em>K</em>_<em>v</em> and porosity (ρ_p). Except for <em>K</em>_<em>h</em> and <em>K</em>_<em>v</em>, all parameters showed high sensitivities to the time from starting to complete freezing (TSCF). TSCF responded positively to C, ρ_p, and density (ρ_d) and negatively to K and <em>K</em>_<em>h</em>. This study expanded the quantification of soil properties in the QTP, which can help improve the accuracy of cryohydrogeologic models, thus guiding the construction and maintenance of infrastructure engineering.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 107734"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142427306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}