An Experiment and Its Numerical Simulation on Horizontal Freezing Effect in Water-Rich Fine Sand Layers

In order to explore the effect of horizontal freezing in water-rich fine sand layers, an experimental model tests was conducted. The effects of different salt water temperatures (at -20 ℃, -25 ℃ and -30 ℃) on frozen wall thickness, time of closure for the frozen wall, final frozen temperatures and frozen ranges were studied. The numerical model of horizontal freezing was established. By comparsion with the measured data, the numerical model was verified. The effects of initial temperatures, seepage speeds and clear space between two freezing tubes on the frozen temperature field were further simulated. The results showed that increasing the initial environmental temperature would reduce the thickness of frozen walls and delay the time for closure of frozen walls, but has little influence on the final frozen temperature. Groundwater seepage would migrate the cooling energy down to the lower zone, which would make the frozen wall in the upper zone thinner than that in the lower zone. The greater the seepage speed, the more obvious the difference between them. To increase the clear space between the two freezing tubes would reduce the thickness of the frozen wall, greatly delay the time of closure for frozen walls and lead to the increase of final frozen temperature.