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Ground Freezing: Pros and Cons

The document discusses artificial ground freezing (AGF), detailing its effects on soil properties, equipment used, and design methods. It highlights the advantages and disadvantages of AGF, including its cost-effectiveness and energy intensity, while emphasizing the importance of proper site characterization. The current state of AGF indicates its growing popularity in shoring projects, with typical costs ranging from $30 to $60 per square foot.

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22 views28 pages

Ground Freezing: Pros and Cons

The document discusses artificial ground freezing (AGF), detailing its effects on soil properties, equipment used, and design methods. It highlights the advantages and disadvantages of AGF, including its cost-effectiveness and energy intensity, while emphasizing the importance of proper site characterization. The current state of AGF indicates its growing popularity in shoring projects, with typical costs ranging from $30 to $60 per square foot.

Uploaded by

Sacha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Artificial Ground Freezing

Will Greenwood
Clark Green
Mike Partenio CEE 542
Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Effects on Soil and Properties
3.0 In the Field
4.0 Advantages and Disadvantages
5.0 Case Study
6.0 Current State (Info from SoilFreeze, Inc.)
7.0 Conclusions
1.0 Introduction
1.1 History

1.2 Concept

1.3 Classification

Refrigeration plant (MoreTrench)


1.1 History
1.2 Concept

Wagner and Yarmak 2012

Johanssan 2009
1.2 Concept

MoreTrench
1.3 Classification
 ASTM D4083-89
2.0 Effects on Soil Properties
2.1 Hydraulic Conductivity

2.2 Strength and Stiffness

2.3 Volume Change Characteristics

2.4 Laboratory Testing


2.1 Hydraulic Conductivity
 Frozen ground practically impermeable

 Be aware of field limitations

 Hydraulic conductivity may increase after


thawing
 Concern when freezing into bedrock
2.2 Strength and Stiffness
 Strength increases
 Typical strengths of frozen soils (Klein 2012)
 Sand: 15 MPa
 Clay: 3 MPa
 Frozen sands and frozen clays exhibit
similar stress-strain behavior
 Stiffness increases
2.2 Strength and Stiffness

Da Re et al. 2003
2.3 Volume Change
 Pore water volume increase of 9%

 Soil heave

 Clays may consolidate below freezing front

 Thaw settlement
2.4 Laboratory Testing
 Lab testing standards are documented by
both ASTM and JGS
 ASTM D7300-11 – Strength of frozen soil samples under
constant strain rate
 ASTM D5520-11 – Creep properties of frozen soil samples by
uniaxial compression
 JGS 0171-2003 – Frost heave prediction in soils

 Thermal properties always tested


2.4 Laboratory Testing
 Mostly intended for natural ground freezing

 Standards for triaxial testing of unfrozen soil


do not apply to frozen soil
 Shear stress, triaxial compression, thaw settlement standards
still needed
3.0 In the Field
3.1 Equipment

3.2 Methods for Design

3.3 Freezing Time

3.4 Special Considerations


3.1 Equipment
 Mobile Freeze Plant

 Freeze Pipes
 Steel
 HDPE
 Coolant
 Typically Calcium Chloride.
 Commercial coolants. MoreTrench
3.1 Equipment

MoreTrench

Wagner and Yarmak 2012


3.2 Methods for Design
 Performance approach Geo-Slope International

with contractor.
Experience needed.

 Sanger and
Sayles 1979, Harris 1995

 FEM
 TEMP/W
 Plaxis McCain et al. 2013
3.3 Freezing Time

Jessberger and Vyalov 1978

Sanger and Sayles 1979


3.4 Special Considerations
 Groundwater velocity (< 2 m/day threshold) (Klein 2012).
 Smaller spacing or multiple pipe rows.
 LN2
 Reduce hydraulic conductivity.

 Groundwater salinity
 Reduces freezing temperature and strength.
 Incomplete freezing.
3.4 Special Considerations
 Temperature monitoring
 Thermocouples in key locations.

 Soil heave and creep.


 Monitor closely – be aware of adjacent structures.
4.0 Advantages
 Soil applicability and versatility Freeze pipe geometry for cross
passage construction, Nanjing Metro,
 All soil and site conditions China

 Various improvement geometries


 Angled freeze pipes

 Cost-effective
 Replaces multiple methods

 Ground returns to original state Dayong, Hui (2010)


4.0 Disadvantages
 Energy intensive

 Extensive monitoring

 Possible failures
 Uncontrolled frozen ground thickness
 Damage to AGF equipment, causing leaks
 Damage to nearby structures
5.0 Case Study

Dijk, P. and Bouwmeester-van


den Bos, J. (2001)
6.0 Current Conditions
 Ground freezing is becoming increasingly
more common for everyday shoring projects

 Currently competitive on a cost-basis

 Typical cost approximately $30 – $60 per


square foot of frozen soil wall area
(SoilFreeze, Inc.)
7.0 Conclusions
 Freeze soil pore water with coolant
circulation through pipes to:
 Control groundwater or contaminant mobility
 Increase strength and stiffness
 Versatile and technique for ground
improvement
 Applicable to entire soil range
 Applicable to various site stratigraphy and conditions
 Proper site characterization is key
Questions?
References
[Link]
in-ground-improvement/ground-freezing?showall=&start=8

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