The effect and parameter analysis of stress release holes on decreasing frost heaves in seasonal frost areas

Frost heave can be substantially reduced if frost deformation of seasonally frozen ground is allowed to occur to a certain extent in the lateral direction. This controlled process can be achieved with a new approach of using stress release holes (SRHs) to decrease the frost heave. Experiments were designed and conducted based on one-dimensional frozen soil samples in closed or open systems. After being frozen for 48 h or 72 h, the soil samples with and without SRHs were then compared for their differences in frost heave deformation, temperature, frost heave rate, and moisture migration. The effects of soil samples with different Hole Ratio in Area (HRA), SRHs, and SRH filling materials are also studied. Results show that when the compaction coefficient Kcc decreases, there is resulting increase in frost heave. Furthermore, with an increasing ratio of HRA, the deformation and the frost heave rate decreases. The maximum frost heave of saturated soil samples with filled SRHs can be effectively decreased in both open and closed systems. Consequently, SRHs with filling are an appealing treatment measure that can be taken to decrease the frost heave of seasonally frozen soils. •A new approach with SRHs to decrease frost heaves of silt soils in seasonal frost area, several experiments are designed to testify the effect.•With an increased ratio of SRHs, the deformation and rate of frost heaves decrease in a closed system obviously.•The silt samples with SRHs filling materials also decrease the frost heaves in an open system.