What the study found
The study found that the proposed thermo-hydro-mechanical coupled field-enriched finite element method can accurately simulate water-ice phase transition induced crack propagation in rock masses. It also simulates the evolution of the water-ice phase transition interface.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the method can be used to simulate frost-induced cracking in slope rock masses in shallow cold regions. The findings indicate it may help represent coupled temperature, phase, fluid flow, and deformation processes in this setting.
What the researchers tested
The researchers proposed a THM coupled field-enriched finite element method based on thermo-poroelastic theory and the Allen–Chan equation, which describe coupled temperature, phase, fluid flow, and deformation. They introduced two field variables to characterize crack properties and water-ice phase transition, and solved the governing equations with a staggered Newton-Raphson iterative algorithm.
What worked and what didn't
The method was validated using homogeneous freezing of intact media, unidirectional freezing of cracking media, and freezing and deformation of intact sandstone, with comparisons to experimental results and previous numerical solutions. It was also validated for crack propagation in fractured rock masses against experimental results and finite-discrete element method results, and the numerical results showed accurate simulation of both crack propagation and the phase-transition interface evolution.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed limitations or failure cases. The reported validation and application are limited to the freezing-related rock-mass cases named in the summary.
Key points
- A thermo-hydro-mechanical coupled field-enriched finite element method was proposed.
- The method was designed to simulate water-ice phase transition induced crack propagation in fractured rock masses.
- Validation was performed against experiments and prior numerical solutions for several freezing cases.
- The numerical results showed accurate simulation of crack propagation and phase-transition interface evolution.
- The method was applied to frost-induced cracking in slope rock masses in shallow cold regions.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Coupled finite element method simulates frost-driven rock cracking
- Authors:
- Xiaoping Zhou, Kunlin Liu, Han Li
- Institutions:
- Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan University
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-11
- DOI:
- 10.1002/nag.70261
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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