Coupled multi-physics modeling of spatio-temporal behavior of embankment subjected to freeze-thaw cycles considering layered construction phases

JABBARZADEH GHANDILOU, Milad; MOUSAVI AVINDIN, Zahra Alsadat

doi:10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104652

Article (Scientific journals)

Coupled multi-physics modeling of spatio-temporal behavior of embankment subjected to freeze-thaw cycles considering layered construction phases

JABBARZADEH GHANDILOU, Milad; MOUSAVI AVINDIN, Zahra Alsadat

2025 • In Cold Regions Science and Technology, 240, p. 104652

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

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https://hdl.handle.net/10993/66238

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10.1016/j.coldregions.2025.104652

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Keywords :

Construction process; Embankment response; Extreme climatic conditions; Freeze-thaw cycles; Thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling; Climatic conditions; Extreme climatic condition; Long term performance; Multiphysics model; Pore-water pressures; Pressure dynamics; Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology; Earth and Planetary Sciences (all)

Abstract :

[en] Climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme climatic conditions have profound implications for geostructures, significantly altering their stability, durability, and long-term performance. Therefore, this study is focused on a fully coupled multi-physics modeling of a layered embankment subjected to freeze-thaw (FT) cycles. The model incorporates a thermo-elasto-plastic constitutive framework to effectively capture the irreversible deformations of the embankment, leading to its progressive failure. The embankment was modeled to investigate deformation, pore water pressure dynamics, and pore structure evolution during construction and FT cycles. The results reveal critical mechanisms governing the long-term performance of earth structures in cold regions. Notably, heterogeneous deformation patterns, stress redistribution, and localized accumulation of ice pressure lead to progressive instability risks. During FT cycles, frost heave and thaw settlement resulted in the greatest vertical deformation occurring at the crest edge and the center of the slope. Subsurface layers exhibited delayed responses with reduced magnitudes, driven by indirect thermal effects and stress redistribution due to the expansion in the freezing front. Pore water pressure dynamics demonstrated spatial variability, with pronounced fluctuations in upper layers and significant negative pressures in subsurface layers due to water migration and dissipation. The findings further highlight that hysteresis in permeability-ice saturation loops indicated irreversible structural changes, posing long-term stability risks. In particular, the permeability in the centre of the slope was found to increase by more than 1.5 times during successive FT cycles. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of climate-resilient geotechnical infrastructure design and maintenance strategies in seasonally frozen regions.

Disciplines :

Civil engineering

Author, co-author :

JABBARZADEH GHANDILOU, Milad ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) > Department of Engineering (DoE)

MOUSAVI AVINDIN, Zahra Alsadat ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) > Department of Engineering (DoE)

External co-authors :

Language :

English

Title :

Coupled multi-physics modeling of spatio-temporal behavior of embankment subjected to freeze-thaw cycles considering layered construction phases

Publication date :

December 2025

Journal title :

Cold Regions Science and Technology

ISSN :

0165-232X

eISSN :

1872-7441

Publisher :

Elsevier B.V.

Volume :

240

Pages :

104652

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S0165232X25002356?httpAccept=text/xml

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since 04 November 2025

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