Study on the stability of excavation process of permafrost subgrade slope in Alpine region

Abstract The high-altitude mountainous half-excavated and half-filled embankment slopes primarily focus on the long-term stability of slopes, while the safety evaluation methods for the excavation process have received comparatively less attention. In practical engineering applications, the stabilit...

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Main Authors: Zhilong Zhang, Jiyang Zhang, Jiangang Chen, Jing Luo, Bingbing Lei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85651-6
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author Zhilong Zhang
Jiyang Zhang
Jiangang Chen
Jing Luo
Bingbing Lei
author_facet Zhilong Zhang
Jiyang Zhang
Jiangang Chen
Jing Luo
Bingbing Lei
author_sort Zhilong Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The high-altitude mountainous half-excavated and half-filled embankment slopes primarily focus on the long-term stability of slopes, while the safety evaluation methods for the excavation process have received comparatively less attention. In practical engineering applications, the stability assessment of frozen soil slopes is predominantly based on thawing parameters. However, this approach often overlooks the impact of construction activities on water redistribution—particularly concerning the migration and accumulation of water at the frost-thaw interface—resulting in a less accurate evaluation of slope stability.In this study, we employ the strength reduction method, utilizing the strength reduction coefficient as a safety factor for slope stability assessment. A model for evaluating construction stability in slopes has been established. The findings indicate that lower water content correlates with reduced shear strength at the frost-thaw interface; moreover, both cohesion and internal friction angle of soil samples diminish progressively with increasing water content. Under identical temporal conditions, slopes with gentler gradients exhibit relatively shallower thawing depths and demonstrate enhanced stability.When comparing slopes with equivalent ratios and initial water contents, it was observed that maximum thawing depth in frozen soils decreases over time as construction delays occur; thus, later construction leads to diminished impacts on slope stability alongside accelerated freezing rates. Following excavation activities, safety coefficients initially decline before subsequently rising over time; higher safety coefficients correspond to extended safe construction durations for retaining walls.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
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publishDate 2025-02-01
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spelling doaj-art-e6b8118802b5442490d30912100cb8fd2025-02-09T12:33:10ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111810.1038/s41598-025-85651-6Study on the stability of excavation process of permafrost subgrade slope in Alpine regionZhilong Zhang0Jiyang Zhang1Jiangang Chen2Jing Luo3Bingbing Lei4College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Xinjiang UniversityCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Xinjiang UniversityXinjiang Transportation Planning Survey and Design Institute Co, LtdCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Xinjiang UniversityXinjiang Transportation Planning Survey and Design Institute Co, LtdAbstract The high-altitude mountainous half-excavated and half-filled embankment slopes primarily focus on the long-term stability of slopes, while the safety evaluation methods for the excavation process have received comparatively less attention. In practical engineering applications, the stability assessment of frozen soil slopes is predominantly based on thawing parameters. However, this approach often overlooks the impact of construction activities on water redistribution—particularly concerning the migration and accumulation of water at the frost-thaw interface—resulting in a less accurate evaluation of slope stability.In this study, we employ the strength reduction method, utilizing the strength reduction coefficient as a safety factor for slope stability assessment. A model for evaluating construction stability in slopes has been established. The findings indicate that lower water content correlates with reduced shear strength at the frost-thaw interface; moreover, both cohesion and internal friction angle of soil samples diminish progressively with increasing water content. Under identical temporal conditions, slopes with gentler gradients exhibit relatively shallower thawing depths and demonstrate enhanced stability.When comparing slopes with equivalent ratios and initial water contents, it was observed that maximum thawing depth in frozen soils decreases over time as construction delays occur; thus, later construction leads to diminished impacts on slope stability alongside accelerated freezing rates. Following excavation activities, safety coefficients initially decline before subsequently rising over time; higher safety coefficients correspond to extended safe construction durations for retaining walls.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85651-6Alpine mountainous areaHydrothermal-mechanical couplingFreeze-thaw interfaceSlope stability
spellingShingle Zhilong Zhang
Jiyang Zhang
Jiangang Chen
Jing Luo
Bingbing Lei
Study on the stability of excavation process of permafrost subgrade slope in Alpine region
Scientific Reports
Alpine mountainous area
Hydrothermal-mechanical coupling
Freeze-thaw interface
Slope stability
title Study on the stability of excavation process of permafrost subgrade slope in Alpine region
title_full Study on the stability of excavation process of permafrost subgrade slope in Alpine region
title_fullStr Study on the stability of excavation process of permafrost subgrade slope in Alpine region
title_full_unstemmed Study on the stability of excavation process of permafrost subgrade slope in Alpine region
title_short Study on the stability of excavation process of permafrost subgrade slope in Alpine region
title_sort study on the stability of excavation process of permafrost subgrade slope in alpine region
topic Alpine mountainous area
Hydrothermal-mechanical coupling
Freeze-thaw interface
Slope stability
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85651-6
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