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<p>Freezing–thawing (F–T) cycle, a common phenomenon in seasonally frozen regions, poses major challenges for civil engineering infrastructure. Present study investigates the influence of compaction density, moisture content, and freezing temperature on the behavior of expansive soil subjected to repeated F–T cycles. A multiscale experimental framework comprising unconfined compressive strength, void ratio evolution, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), CIAS-based surface crack analysis, computed tomography (CT) scan, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was used to analyze the progressive macro- and microstructural evolution. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was further conducted to quantify the dominant influence of the governing parameters on F–T induced deterioration. Results show repeated F–T cycles progressively increase void ratio, surface crack propagation, and microstructural deterioration, resulting in substantial strength reduction. ANOVA identified moisture content as the dominant factor governing F–T deterioration. Contrary to the conventional freezing expansion response observed in geomaterials, expansive soil exhibited contraction during freezing and expansion during thawing, attributed to coupled moisture redistribution and structural rearrangement during F–T cycles. Moreover, a strong linear relationship was observed between strength reduction and CT-scan-derived porosity evolution. UPV reduction and FESEM observations further validated the progressive structural deterioration. Overall, the findings suggest the existence of an optimum compaction near 95% maximum dry density, with moisture content at or slightly below the optimum moisture content exhibiting the least susceptibility to F–T cycle-induced deterioration. These findings provide practical insights into improving the long-term performance of expansive soils in cold region engineering applications.</p>

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Cyclic Freezing-Thawing Induced Stresses on the Mechanical Response, Cracking Behavior, and Microstructural Evolution of Expansive Soil in Cold Region: A Mechanistic-based Study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月25日

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  • Dinesh Ahongshangbam,
  • Sukanya Goswami,
  • Kaling Taki

摘要

Freezing–thawing (F–T) cycle, a common phenomenon in seasonally frozen regions, poses major challenges for civil engineering infrastructure. Present study investigates the influence of compaction density, moisture content, and freezing temperature on the behavior of expansive soil subjected to repeated F–T cycles. A multiscale experimental framework comprising unconfined compressive strength, void ratio evolution, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), CIAS-based surface crack analysis, computed tomography (CT) scan, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was used to analyze the progressive macro- and microstructural evolution. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was further conducted to quantify the dominant influence of the governing parameters on F–T induced deterioration. Results show repeated F–T cycles progressively increase void ratio, surface crack propagation, and microstructural deterioration, resulting in substantial strength reduction. ANOVA identified moisture content as the dominant factor governing F–T deterioration. Contrary to the conventional freezing expansion response observed in geomaterials, expansive soil exhibited contraction during freezing and expansion during thawing, attributed to coupled moisture redistribution and structural rearrangement during F–T cycles. Moreover, a strong linear relationship was observed between strength reduction and CT-scan-derived porosity evolution. UPV reduction and FESEM observations further validated the progressive structural deterioration. Overall, the findings suggest the existence of an optimum compaction near 95% maximum dry density, with moisture content at or slightly below the optimum moisture content exhibiting the least susceptibility to F–T cycle-induced deterioration. These findings provide practical insights into improving the long-term performance of expansive soils in cold region engineering applications.