What the study found
Freeze–thaw cycling changed the shear behavior of concrete–crushed rock–soil interfaces, affecting strength, pore structure, and deformation. The authors also report that a four-parameter modified Duncan–Chang model captured these changes better than simpler hyperbolic models.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say this is relevant because durability evaluation of permafrost infrastructure depends on interfacial strength characterization. They state that better representation of freeze–thaw damage and residual strength may help reduce safety risks and service-life underestimation in engineering analysis.
What the researchers tested
The researchers performed laboratory direct shear tests on concrete–crushed rock soil interfaces under freeze–thaw cycles. They analyzed shear stress–displacement behavior across cycle numbers, used nuclear magnetic resonance to quantify pore-structure evolution, and developed a four-parameter modified Duncan–Chang constitutive model with freeze–thaw damage effects.
What worked and what didn't
The proposed model is reported to represent plastic hardening and incipient strain softening, which the authors say are seen in freeze–thaw-damaged interfaces. They report R2 greater than 0.95 in nonlinear least-squares validation. The abstract also states that interfacial shear strength depends on both normal stress and freeze–thaw history, and that porosity increases by 0.9%–2.3% with cycling while cohesion decreases.
What to keep in mind
The available summary does not describe detailed experimental conditions beyond laboratory direct shear testing and freeze–thaw cycling. Limitations are not explicitly stated in the abstract.
Key points
- Freeze–thaw cycling altered shear strength, pore structure, and deformation at concrete–crushed rock–soil interfaces.
- The authors developed a four-parameter modified Duncan–Chang model that includes freeze–thaw damage effects.
- The abstract says the model fit validation data well, with R2 greater than 0.95.
- Porosity increased by 0.9%–2.3% with cycling, and cohesion decreased.
- Shear strength depended on both normal stress and freeze–thaw history.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Freeze–thaw cycling changes concrete–soil interface shear behavior
- Authors:
- Baodong Zhang, Liyun Tang, Peiyong Qiu, Huaming Tang, Jianguo Zheng, Wurong Jia, Weiling Zhong, Jingjing He, Zhanju Lin
- Institutions:
- Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Qingdao Installation & Construction (China), Urumqi Vocational University, China Railway Group (China), PowerChina (China), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-03
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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