Experimental investigation on the asymmetric heat-water-deformation behaviors between sunny and shady slopes in seasonally frozen regions

• Published in: International communications in heat and mass transfer Vol. 158; p. 107903
• Main Authors: Jiang, Haoyuan, Zhang, Mingyi, Wang, Zhengzhong, Bai, Ruiqiang, Sun, Xinjian, Kong, Xiangbing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Frost heave; Heat-water-deformation coupling; Solar radiation; Sunny-shady slope effect; Water conveyance canals; Frost heave; Water conveyance canals; Solar radiation; Sunny-shady slope effect; Heat-water-deformation coupling
• ISSN: 0735-1933
• DOI: 10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2024.107903

The asymmetric heat-water-deformation responses to solar radiation on sunny and shady slopes cause the failure of water conveyance canals in cold regions, threatening water, food, and ecological security. To investigate the influence of solar radiation on differential heat-water-deformation behaviors, a novel model test equipment incorporating solar radiation and freezing-thawing conditions was developed. A canal model was tested under different solar radiation intensities between slopes during freezing-thawing. Results show that solar radiation intensifies heat flux on the canal surface, increasing temperature while enhancing convective heat loss. Frozen soil phase change leads to solar energy storage in the sunny slope, causing a temperature difference between slopes. This leads to increased disparities in freezing depth, water content, deformation, and strain. Additionally, the disparities in freezing depth, deformation, and strain of both slopes are linearly related to the difference in daily solar radiation absorption. Under a 39.2 W/m2 intensity difference at −15 °C ambient temperature, the freezing depth, deformation, and strain of the shady slope can reach 1.4 times those of the sunny slope. Furthermore, the sunny slope has higher surface soil water content, potentially damaging the lining during thawing due to reduced freezing force. These findings enhance our understanding of canal failure mechanisms. •Develop a model test system incorporating freezing-thawing condition and solar radiation.•Test thermal transfer and heat-water-deformation responses of a canal under solar radiation.•Discuss the effect of solar radiation on the sunny-shady slope effect of a canal.•Provide recommendations for mitigating canal frost heave using solar radiation.