Pore Size Changes in Marine Soft Soil under Various Freezing Conditions

Abstract

Artificial freezing methods can help highlight the mechanical properties of marine clay. The construction of cross passages in metro tunnels employs the freezing method. Freeze–thaw circulation, which is part of the process, affects the engineering properties of clay and produces differential settling. This paper describes the percentages of specific diameters of frozen–thawed soil under different freezing temperatures, measured with the help of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). In response to the experimental results, a weakening effect of freezing temperature and speed on soft soil is proposed. All sizes of undisturbed soil pores tend to increase under various freezing temperatures. Owing to differences in free water content, the water in medium pores freezes quicker than that in tiny pores. The quicker the freezing, the greater the resulting void ratio. Finally, potential reasons for changes in pore size under different freezing conditions are explained from a microcosmic perspective.