Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Porosity of crushed rock layer and its impact on thermal regime of Qinghai−Tibet Railway embankment

  • Published:
Journal of Central South University Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It has been proven that crushed rock layers used in roadbed construction in permafrost regions have a cooling effect. The main reason is the existence of large porosity of the rock layers. However, due to the strong winds, cold and high radiation conditions on the Qinghai−Tibet Plateau (QTP), both wind-blown sand and/or weathered rock debris blockage might reduce the porosity of the rock layers, resulting in weakening the cooling effect of the crushed rock layer (CRL) in the crushed rock embankment (CRE) of the Qinghai−Tibet Railway (QTR) in the permafrost regions. Such a process might warm the underlying permafrost, and further lead to potential threat to the QTR’s integrity and stability. The different porosities corresponding to the different equivalent rock diameters were measured in the laboratory using water saturation method, and an empirical exponential equation between porosity and equivalent rock diameter was proposed based on the measured experimental data and an important finding is observed in our and other experiments that the larger size crushed rock tends to lead to the larger porosity when arbitrarily packing. Numerical tests were carried out to study impacts of porosity on permafrost degradation and differential thaw depths between the sunny and shady shoulders. The results show that the decrease in porosity due to wind-blown sand or weathered rock debris clogging can worsen the permafrost degradation and lead to the asymmetric thermal regime. In the traditional embankment (without the CRL within it), the largest differential thaw depth can reach up to 3.1 m. The optimized porosity appears in a range from 34% to 42% corresponding to equivalent rock diameter from 10 to 20.5 cm. The CRE with the optimized porosities can make underlying permafrost stable and 0 °C isotherms symmetric in the coming 50 years, even under the condition that the climate warming can lead to permafrost degradation under the CRE and the traditional embankment. Some practical implications were proposed to benefit the future design, construction and maintenance of CRE in permafrost regions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. CHENG Guo-dong. Influence of local factors on permafrost occurrence and their implications for Qinghai-Xizang Railway design [J]. Science in China: Series D, 2004, 47(8): 704–709.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. WU Qing-bai, CHENG Guo-dong, MA Wei. Impact of permafrost change on the Qinghai-Tibet Railroad engineering [J]. Science in China: Series D, 2004, 47(suppl 1): 122–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. WU Qing-bai, CHENG Hong-bin, JIANG Guan-li, MA Wei, LIU Yong-zhi. Cooling mechanism of embankment with block stone interlayer in Qinghai-Tibet railway [J]. Science in China: Series E, 2007, 50(3): 319–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. MA Wei, MU Yan-hu, WU Qing-bai, SUN Zhi-zhong, LIU Yong-zhi. Characteristics and mechanisms of embankment deformation along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in permafrost regions [J]. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2011, 67(3): 178–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. LAI Yuan-ming, ZHANG Shu-juan, ZHANG Lu-xin, XIAO Jian-zhang. Adjusting temperature distribution under the south and north slopes of embankment in permafrost regions by the ripped rock revetment [J]. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2004, 39 (1): 67–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. JIN Hui-jun, ZHAO Lin, WANG Shao-ling, RUI Jin. Thermal regimes and degradation modes of permafrost along the Qinghai- Tibet Highway [J]. Science in China: Series D, 2006, 49(11): 1170–1183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. LI Guo-yu, LI Ning, QUAN Xiao-juan. The temperature features for different ventilated-duct embankments with adjustable shutters in the Qinghai-Tibet railway [J]. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2006, 44(2): 99–110.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  8. LI Guo-yu, MU Yan-hu, ZHANG Xia. Thermal characteristics of the embankment with crushed rock side slope to mitigate thaw settlement hazards of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway [J]. Acta Geologica Sinica: English Edition, 2009, 83(5): 1000–1007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. PENG Hui, MA Wei, MU Yan-hu, JIN Long. Impact of permafrost degradation on embankment deformation of Qinghai–Tibet Highway in permafrost regions [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2015, 22(3): 1079–1086.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. YU Qi-hao, CHENG Guo-dong, NIU Fu-jun. The application of auto-temperature-controlled ventilation embankment in Qinghai- Tibet railway [J]. Science in China: Series D, 2004, 47(suppl 1): 168–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. NIU Fu-jun, XU Jia, LIN Zhan-ju, WU Qing-bai, CHENG Guo-dong. Permafrost characteristics of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and methods of roadbed construction of railway [J]. Acta Geologica Sinica: English Edition, 2010, 82(5): 949–958.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. NIU Fu-jun, CHENG Gguo-dong, YU Qi-hao. Ground-temperature controlling effects of duct-ventilated railway embankment in permafrost regions [J]. Science in China: Series D, 2004, 47(suppl 1): 152–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. CHENG Guo-dong, LAI Yuan-ming, SUN Zhi-zhong. The ‘Thermal semi-conductor’ effect of crushed rock [J]. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 2007, 18(2): 151–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. LAI Yuan-ming, ZHANG Ming-yi, LIU Zhi-qiang, YU Wen-bing. Numerical analysis for cooling effect of open boundary ripped-rock embankment on Qinghai-Tibetan railway [J]. Science in China: Series D, 2006, 49(7): 764–772.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. LAI Yuan-ming, MA Wei, ZHANG Ming-yi, YU Wen-bing, GAO Zhi-hua. Experimental investigation on influence of boundary conditions on cooling effect and mechanism of crushed-rock layers [J]. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2006, 45(2): 114–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. LI Guo-yu, LI Ning, MA Wei. Cooling effects and mechanisms of crushed rock protective slopes combined with shading board on embankment in warm permafrost regions [J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics, 2010, 31(1): 165–173. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  17. LI Guo-yu, LI Ning, KANG Jia-mei, NIU Fu-ju, YU Wen-bing, SHI Lei, BI Gui-quan. Study on design optimization of a crushed stone layer with shading board placed on a railway embankment on warm permafrost [J]. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2008, 54(1): 36–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. GOERING D J, KUMAR P. Winter-time convection in open-graded embankments [J]. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 1996, 24: 57–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. LAI Yuan-ming, ZHANG Lu-xin, ZHANG Shu-juan, MI Long. Cooling effect of ripped-stone embankments on Qing-Tibet railway under climatic warming [J]. Chinese Science Bulletin, 2003, 48(6): 598–604.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. ZHANG Ming-yi, LAI Yuan-ming, YU Wen-bing, HUANG Zhi-jun. Experimental study on influence of particle size on cooling effect of crushed-rock layer under closed and open tops [J]. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2007, 48(3): 232–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. MA Wei, ZHANG Lu-xin, WU Qing-bai. Control of asymmetrical subgrade temperature with crushed-rock embankments along the permafrost region of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway [C]// Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Permafrost. Fairbanks: University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2008: 1099–1104.

    Google Scholar 

  22. ZHANG Ke-cun, QU Jian-jun, LIAO Kong-tai, NIU Qing-he, HAN Qing-jie. Damage by wind-blown sand and its control along Qinghai- Tibet Railway in China [J]. Aeolian Research, 2010, 1(3): 143–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. ZHANG Ke-cun, QU Jian-jun, HAN Qing-jie, AN Zhi-shan. Wind energy environments and aeolian sand characteristics along the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, China [J]. Sedimentary Geology, 2012, 273–274(6): 91–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. HE Ping, CHENG Guo-dong, MA Wei, WU Qing-bai. Research on ventilation properties of block stones layer [J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2006, 28(6): 789–792. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  25. FAIR G M, HATCH L P. Fundamental factors governing the streamline flow of water through sand [J]. Journal, 1933, 25(11): 1551–1565.

    Google Scholar 

  26. BEAR J. Dynamics of fluids in porous media [M]. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1972.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  27. JENNINGS B R, PARSLOW K. Particle size measurement: the equivalent spherical diameter [J]. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 1988, 419(1856): 137–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. NIELD D A, BEJAN A. Convection in porous media [M]. Berlin: Springer, 1992.

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  29. TAO Wen-quan. Numerical heat transfer [M]. 2nd ed. Xi’an: Xi’an Jiaotong University Press, 2011. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  30. ZHENG Bo. Study on mechanical properties of warm and ice-rich frozen soil and roadbed deformation in permafrost regions [D]. Beijing: Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2007. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  31. TAYLOR G S, LUTHIN J N. A model for coupled heat and moisture transfer during soil freezing [J]. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 1978, 15: 548–555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. LI Guo-yu, LI Ning, MA Wei. Mathematic models and numerical solutions of the heat transfer for the embankment with crushed stone layer in permafrost regions [C]// Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Permafrost Engineering. Lanzhou: Lanzhou University Press, 2009: 242–249.

    Google Scholar 

  33. LAI Yuan-ming, ZHANG Lu-xin, ZHANG Shu-juan, MI Long. Cooling effect of ripped-stone embankments on Qing-Tibet railway under climatic warming [J]. Chinese Science Bulletin, 2003, 48(6): 598–604.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. LAI Yuan-ming, ZHANG Ming-yi, LIU Zhi-qiang, YU Wen-bing. Numerical analysis for cooling effect of open boundary ripped-rock embankment on Qinghai-Tibetan railway [J]. Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences, 2006, 49(7): 764–772.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. QIN Da-he. Assessment on environment in west China [M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2002. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  36. WU Zi-wang, CHENG Guo-dong, LIU Yong-zhi. Roadbed engineering in permafrost region [M]. Lanzhou: Lanzhou University Press, 1998. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  37. CHOU Ya-ling. Study on shady-sunny effect and the forming mechanism of the longitudinal embankment crack in permafrost [D]. Beijing: Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2007. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  38. ZHOU You-wu, GUO Dong-xin, QIU Guo-qing, CHENG Guo-dong, LI Shu-xun. Geocryology in China [M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2000. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  39. XU Xue-zu, WANG Jia-deng, ZHANG Li-xin. Frozen soil physics [M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2001. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  40. LAI Yuan-ming, ZHANG Ming-yi, YU Wen-bing, LI Shuang-yang. Laboratory study of particle size for optimal cooling effect of closed crushed-rock layers [J]. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 2006, 28(5): 755–759. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  41. ZHANG Ming-yi, LAI Yuan-ming, LI Shuang-yang, ZHANG Shu-juan. Laboratory investigation on cooling effect of sloped crushed-rock revetment in permafrost regions [J]. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2006, 46(1): 27–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. BIAN Xiao-lin, HE Ping, WU Qing-bai, SHI Ye-hui. Experimental study on the influence of the particle diameter on the natural convection characteristics of the block stone layer [J]. China Railway Science, 2011, 32(1): 1–6. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  43. HOLMANJ P. Heat transfer [M]. 6th ed. Singapore: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  44. XU Xue-zu, SUN Bin-xian, LIU Qi, WANG Shuang-jie, ZHANG Jin-zhao. Laboratory experiment on the influence of paving location and diameter on the cooling effect of ballast embankment [J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2005, 27(3): 254–257. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  45. MATSUOKA N, MURTON J. Frost weathering: recent advances and future directions [J]. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 2008, 19: 195–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. NIU Fu-jun, LIU Hua, LIN Zhan-ju, LU Jia-hao. Physical changes of five types of rock in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau under freeze-thaw cycles [C]// Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Permafrost Engineering. Mirnyy: Melnikov Permafrost Institute, Russia Academy of Sciences, 2011: 46–51.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Frozen Soil Engineering, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Ming-hao Liu  (刘明浩), Guo-yu Li  (李国玉), Fu-jun Niu  (牛富俊), Zhan-ju Lin  (林战举) & Yun-hu Shang  (商允虎)

  2. School of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Ming-hao Liu  (刘明浩) & Yun-hu Shang  (商允虎)

Authors
  1. Ming-hao Liu  (刘明浩)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Guo-yu Li  (李国玉)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fu-jun Niu  (牛富俊)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zhan-ju Lin  (林战举)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yun-hu Shang  (商允虎)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guo-yu Li  (李国玉).

Additional information

Foundation item: Project(2012CB026101) supported by the National Key Basic Research Program of China (973 Program); Project(41121061) supported by the Program for Innovative Research Group of Natural Science Foundation of China; Project(143GKDA007) supported by the Science and Technology Major Project of the Gansu Province; Project(SKLFSE-ZY-16) supported by the State Key Laboratory of Frozen Soil Engineering, China; Project supported by the West Light Foundation of CAS for G.Y. Li

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liu, Mh., Li, Gy., Niu, Fj. et al. Porosity of crushed rock layer and its impact on thermal regime of Qinghai−Tibet Railway embankment. J. Cent. South Univ. 24, 977–987 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-017-3500-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-017-3500-2

Key words

Search

Navigation