Model of coupled heat-fluid transport of U-shape canal lining with concrete during seasonal freezing and thawing stage

The frost-heaving mechanism of U-shape canal during seasonal freezing and thawing stage was studied based on the temperature gradients theory. A model of coupled heat-fluid transport for U-shape canal lining with concrete during seasonal freezing and thawing stage was developed, and the hybrid Richards’ equation was used to study unsaturated water movement of frozen soils . The prediction model of frozen depth and frost-heaving deformation were derived with the amount of soil moisture transfer, temperature and observation value of frost depth. The test results show that the simulation and prediction curves are fitting with the observation curve. The research supplies a theoretical basis for the design of the U-shape canal lining with concrete.