Heat-Flow Coupling Law for Freezing a Pipe Reinforcement with Varying Curvatures

Using the temperature and seepage field-coupling module within COMSOL Multiphysics software, we examined freezing behavior and its evolving patterns in curved underground freezing pipes. This study employed transient states, with the Darcy’s law and porous-media heat-transfer options activated in th...

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Main Authors: Kun Yang, Jun Hu, Tao Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/19/10932
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author Kun Yang
Jun Hu
Tao Wang
author_facet Kun Yang
Jun Hu
Tao Wang
author_sort Kun Yang
collection DOAJ
description Using the temperature and seepage field-coupling module within COMSOL Multiphysics software, we examined freezing behavior and its evolving patterns in curved underground freezing pipes. This study employed transient states, with the Darcy’s law and porous-media heat-transfer options activated in the Physical Field Interface of the Physical Field and Variable Selection column. The models were created to establish numerical models of freezing reinforcement for both single and multiple pipes with various curvatures. These models were designed to simulate the evolving temperature and seepage fields of soil under diverse freezing conditions. Subsequently, this research utilized the models to simulate the freezing and consolidation conditions of a shallowly buried tunnel within the context of shallow tunnel conditions. The study reveals that after freezing a single pipe using water flow, the change in thickness of the frozen wall in curved pipes is notably smaller than that in straight pipes. This difference is particularly pronounced in the upstream section. Specifically, at a distance of −2000 mm from the main surface, the change in thickness of the frozen wall in straight pipes exceeds that in s = 7 curved pipes by approximately 350 mm. The smaller the long arc ratio s, the greater the arc of the freezing tube and the better the water-blocking effect. In the multi-pipe freezing model, the s = 7 curved pipes exhibit a frozen-wall thickness approximately 120 mm greater than that of straight pipes at a distance of −2000 mm from the main surface. Under the condition of a shallow buried concealed excavation with surging water, a pipe with a long arc ratio s = 7 arc freezing at 46 d attains a permafrost curtain thickness that is equivalent to that achieved by the straight pipe freezing at 58 d. This reduction in thickness shortens the working period by 12 days, resulting in a more efficient process. The successful application of the freezing method in the water-rich aquifer is expected to be a valuable reference for similar projects in the future.
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spelling doaj.art-23e94feaa0ef48a1a60df87a8d4736de2023-11-19T14:06:13ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-10-0113191093210.3390/app131910932Heat-Flow Coupling Law for Freezing a Pipe Reinforcement with Varying CurvaturesKun Yang0Jun Hu1Tao Wang2School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaState Key Laboratory for GeoMechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaUsing the temperature and seepage field-coupling module within COMSOL Multiphysics software, we examined freezing behavior and its evolving patterns in curved underground freezing pipes. This study employed transient states, with the Darcy’s law and porous-media heat-transfer options activated in the Physical Field Interface of the Physical Field and Variable Selection column. The models were created to establish numerical models of freezing reinforcement for both single and multiple pipes with various curvatures. These models were designed to simulate the evolving temperature and seepage fields of soil under diverse freezing conditions. Subsequently, this research utilized the models to simulate the freezing and consolidation conditions of a shallowly buried tunnel within the context of shallow tunnel conditions. The study reveals that after freezing a single pipe using water flow, the change in thickness of the frozen wall in curved pipes is notably smaller than that in straight pipes. This difference is particularly pronounced in the upstream section. Specifically, at a distance of −2000 mm from the main surface, the change in thickness of the frozen wall in straight pipes exceeds that in s = 7 curved pipes by approximately 350 mm. The smaller the long arc ratio s, the greater the arc of the freezing tube and the better the water-blocking effect. In the multi-pipe freezing model, the s = 7 curved pipes exhibit a frozen-wall thickness approximately 120 mm greater than that of straight pipes at a distance of −2000 mm from the main surface. Under the condition of a shallow buried concealed excavation with surging water, a pipe with a long arc ratio s = 7 arc freezing at 46 d attains a permafrost curtain thickness that is equivalent to that achieved by the straight pipe freezing at 58 d. This reduction in thickness shortens the working period by 12 days, resulting in a more efficient process. The successful application of the freezing method in the water-rich aquifer is expected to be a valuable reference for similar projects in the future.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/19/10932arc freeze tubeseepage fieldshallow buried cathodic excavationlong arc ratiotemperature fieldfreezing method
spellingShingle Kun Yang
Jun Hu
Tao Wang
Heat-Flow Coupling Law for Freezing a Pipe Reinforcement with Varying Curvatures
Applied Sciences
arc freeze tube
seepage field
shallow buried cathodic excavation
long arc ratio
temperature field
freezing method
title Heat-Flow Coupling Law for Freezing a Pipe Reinforcement with Varying Curvatures
title_full Heat-Flow Coupling Law for Freezing a Pipe Reinforcement with Varying Curvatures
title_fullStr Heat-Flow Coupling Law for Freezing a Pipe Reinforcement with Varying Curvatures
title_full_unstemmed Heat-Flow Coupling Law for Freezing a Pipe Reinforcement with Varying Curvatures
title_short Heat-Flow Coupling Law for Freezing a Pipe Reinforcement with Varying Curvatures
title_sort heat flow coupling law for freezing a pipe reinforcement with varying curvatures
topic arc freeze tube
seepage field
shallow buried cathodic excavation
long arc ratio
temperature field
freezing method
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/19/10932
work_keys_str_mv AT kunyang heatflowcouplinglawforfreezingapipereinforcementwithvaryingcurvatures
AT junhu heatflowcouplinglawforfreezingapipereinforcementwithvaryingcurvatures
AT taowang heatflowcouplinglawforfreezingapipereinforcementwithvaryingcurvatures