Analysis of temperature field evolution in ground freezing construction of twin tunnels in a coastal urban area

Abstract In the field of underground engineering, the artificial ground freezing method has emerged as a highly effective technique due to its excellent impermeability, controllability, and minimal environmental impact. This method is particularly advantageous in complex geological and urban setting...

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Main Authors: Tingfen Ye, Jun Hu, Jie Zhou, Huajing Gan, Lei Huang, Xinmin Shang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14000-4
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author Tingfen Ye
Jun Hu
Jie Zhou
Huajing Gan
Lei Huang
Xinmin Shang
author_facet Tingfen Ye
Jun Hu
Jie Zhou
Huajing Gan
Lei Huang
Xinmin Shang
author_sort Tingfen Ye
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In the field of underground engineering, the artificial ground freezing method has emerged as a highly effective technique due to its excellent impermeability, controllability, and minimal environmental impact. This method is particularly advantageous in complex geological and urban settings, making it widely used in tunnel construction under challenging conditions. However, in the case of twin-tunnel (or two-lane tunnel) projects, accurately predicting the temperature field during the freezing process remains a critical challenge. One of the key issues lies in the uncertainty of excavation rates, which significantly affects the development and control of the frozen wall. This paper establishes a three-dimensional water-heat coupling model based on the actual project of an underground two-lane tunnel in a city near the sea. Through numerical simulations, the model analyzes and investigates the temperature field maps, effective permafrost curtain thickness, and the cooling law of the two primary surface paths. The findings indicate that the development of effective permafrost curtain thickness is significantly influenced by seepage. The upstream side of the left tunnel experiences the greatest impact at 45°, 90°, and 135°, with the downstream side of the right tunnel showing less influence in five directions. The development trend of effective permafrost curtain thickness in the 90° direction of the left tunnel is opposite to that of the right tunnel, with a difference of 1.7393 m, both reaching the design standard thickness. Over time, the freezing tubes continue to produce cold, causing the temperatures in the freezing zones to decrease. The temperature of the main face 1 exhibits a ‘double W’ shape distribution in the temporal-spatial change, while the temperature of the main face 2 shows a ‘W’ shape distribution in the same context.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
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publishDate 2025-08-01
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spelling doaj-art-2b183b269f4e47d3a928a16dea0f7ab62025-08-20T03:46:05ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-14000-4Analysis of temperature field evolution in ground freezing construction of twin tunnels in a coastal urban areaTingfen Ye0Jun Hu1Jie Zhou2Huajing Gan3Lei Huang4Xinmin Shang5School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hainan UniversitySchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hainan UniversityDepartment of Underground Architectural Engineering, College of Civil Engineering and Architectural Engineering, Tongji UniversitySchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hainan UniversityShandong Jiayu Engineering Construction Co., LtdJunchi Engineering Co., LtdAbstract In the field of underground engineering, the artificial ground freezing method has emerged as a highly effective technique due to its excellent impermeability, controllability, and minimal environmental impact. This method is particularly advantageous in complex geological and urban settings, making it widely used in tunnel construction under challenging conditions. However, in the case of twin-tunnel (or two-lane tunnel) projects, accurately predicting the temperature field during the freezing process remains a critical challenge. One of the key issues lies in the uncertainty of excavation rates, which significantly affects the development and control of the frozen wall. This paper establishes a three-dimensional water-heat coupling model based on the actual project of an underground two-lane tunnel in a city near the sea. Through numerical simulations, the model analyzes and investigates the temperature field maps, effective permafrost curtain thickness, and the cooling law of the two primary surface paths. The findings indicate that the development of effective permafrost curtain thickness is significantly influenced by seepage. The upstream side of the left tunnel experiences the greatest impact at 45°, 90°, and 135°, with the downstream side of the right tunnel showing less influence in five directions. The development trend of effective permafrost curtain thickness in the 90° direction of the left tunnel is opposite to that of the right tunnel, with a difference of 1.7393 m, both reaching the design standard thickness. Over time, the freezing tubes continue to produce cold, causing the temperatures in the freezing zones to decrease. The temperature of the main face 1 exhibits a ‘double W’ shape distribution in the temporal-spatial change, while the temperature of the main face 2 shows a ‘W’ shape distribution in the same context.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14000-4Two-lane tunnelFreezing temperature fieldEffective thicknessPermafrost curtain
spellingShingle Tingfen Ye
Jun Hu
Jie Zhou
Huajing Gan
Lei Huang
Xinmin Shang
Analysis of temperature field evolution in ground freezing construction of twin tunnels in a coastal urban area
Scientific Reports
Two-lane tunnel
Freezing temperature field
Effective thickness
Permafrost curtain
title Analysis of temperature field evolution in ground freezing construction of twin tunnels in a coastal urban area
title_full Analysis of temperature field evolution in ground freezing construction of twin tunnels in a coastal urban area
title_fullStr Analysis of temperature field evolution in ground freezing construction of twin tunnels in a coastal urban area
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of temperature field evolution in ground freezing construction of twin tunnels in a coastal urban area
title_short Analysis of temperature field evolution in ground freezing construction of twin tunnels in a coastal urban area
title_sort analysis of temperature field evolution in ground freezing construction of twin tunnels in a coastal urban area
topic Two-lane tunnel
Freezing temperature field
Effective thickness
Permafrost curtain
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14000-4
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