Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions ›› 2015, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (4): 354–364.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1226.2015.00354

• ARTICLES • 上一篇    

Probabilistic analysis of embankment slope stability in frozen ground regions based on random finite element method

Xi Chen1,2, JianKun Liu1, Nan Xie1, HuiJing Sun1   

  1. 1. School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China;
    2. Qinghai Research and Observation Base, Key Laboratory of Highway Construction & Maintenance Technology in Permafrost Regions, Ministry of Transport, Xining, Qinghai 810001, China
  • 收稿日期:2015-02-24 修回日期:2015-05-19 发布日期:2018-11-23
  • 通讯作者: Ph.D., XiChen, Associate Professor of School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China. Tel: +86-10-51684867; E-mail: xichen.geo@gmail.com;Ph.D., JianKun Liu, Professor of School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China. Tel: +86-10-51684096; E-mail: jkliu@bjtu.edu.cn E-mail:jkliu@bjtu.edu.cn
  • 基金资助:
    This research is supported by the National 973 Project of China (No. 2012CB026104) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51378057).

Probabilistic analysis of embankment slope stability in frozen ground regions based on random finite element method

Xi Chen1,2, JianKun Liu1, Nan Xie1, HuiJing Sun1   

  1. 1. School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China;
    2. Qinghai Research and Observation Base, Key Laboratory of Highway Construction & Maintenance Technology in Permafrost Regions, Ministry of Transport, Xining, Qinghai 810001, China
  • Received:2015-02-24 Revised:2015-05-19 Published:2018-11-23
  • Contact: Ph.D., XiChen, Associate Professor of School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China. Tel: +86-10-51684867; E-mail: xichen.geo@gmail.com;Ph.D., JianKun Liu, Professor of School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China. Tel: +86-10-51684096; E-mail: jkliu@bjtu.edu.cn E-mail:jkliu@bjtu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    This research is supported by the National 973 Project of China (No. 2012CB026104) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51378057).

摘要: Prediction on the coupled thermal-hydraulic fields of embankment and cutting slopes is essential to the assessment on evolution of melting zone and natural permafrost table, which is usually a key factor for permafrost embankment designin frozen ground regions. The prediction may be further complicated due to the inherent uncertainties of materialproperties. Hence, stochastic analyses should be conducted. Firstly, Karhunen-Loeve expansion is applied to attain the random fields for hydraulic and thermal conductions. Next, the mixed-form modified Richards equation for mass transfer (i.e., mass equation) and the heat transport equation for heat transient flow in a variably saturated frozen soil are combined into one equation with temperature unknown. Furthermore, the finite element formulation for the coupled thermal-hydraulic fields is derived. Based on the random fields, the stochastic finite element analyses on stability of embankment are carried out. Numerical results show that stochastic analyses of embankment stability may provide a more rational picture for the distribution of factors of safety (FOS), which is definitely useful forembankment design in frozen ground regions.

关键词: frozen ground, high-speed railway, embankment, slope stability, coupled thermal-hydraulic analysis, random finite element method, Monte-Carlo simulation, climate change

Abstract: Prediction on the coupled thermal-hydraulic fields of embankment and cutting slopes is essential to the assessment on evolution of melting zone and natural permafrost table, which is usually a key factor for permafrost embankment designin frozen ground regions. The prediction may be further complicated due to the inherent uncertainties of materialproperties. Hence, stochastic analyses should be conducted. Firstly, Karhunen-Loeve expansion is applied to attain the random fields for hydraulic and thermal conductions. Next, the mixed-form modified Richards equation for mass transfer (i.e., mass equation) and the heat transport equation for heat transient flow in a variably saturated frozen soil are combined into one equation with temperature unknown. Furthermore, the finite element formulation for the coupled thermal-hydraulic fields is derived. Based on the random fields, the stochastic finite element analyses on stability of embankment are carried out. Numerical results show that stochastic analyses of embankment stability may provide a more rational picture for the distribution of factors of safety (FOS), which is definitely useful forembankment design in frozen ground regions.

Key words: frozen ground, high-speed railway, embankment, slope stability, coupled thermal-hydraulic analysis, random finite element method, Monte-Carlo simulation, climate change

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