Water movement in porous media towards an ice front

Biermans, M.B.G.M.; Dijkema, K. M.; Vries, D. A. de

doi:10.1038/264166a0

Cited by 16 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…This form of the Clapeyron equation represents a general thermodynamic relation whose validity is not limited to our specific purpose. Its validity has been verified experimentally [ Biermans et al , 1978; Konrad and Duquennoi , 1993; Krantz and Adams , 1996; Miyata and Akagawa , 1998] and it provides the fundamental basis for frost heave models [ Fowler and Krantz , 1994; Miyata , 1998; O'Neill and Miller , 1985]. The Clapeyron equation provides a mean for coupling pressure terms and temperature in a freezing porous medium.…”

Section: Assumed Physics Of Basal Freeze‐onmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response of subglacial sediments to basal freeze‐on 1. Theory and comparison to observations from beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet

2003

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[1] We have constructed a high-resolution numerical model of heat, water, and solute flows in sub-ice stream till subjected to basal freeze-on. The model builds on quantitative treatments of frost heave in permafrost soils. The full version of the Clapeyron equation is used. Hence, ice-water phase transition depends on water pressure, osmotic pressure, and surface tension. The two latter effects can lead to supercooling of the ice base. This supercooling, in turn, induces hydraulic gradients that drive upward flow of pore water, which feeds the growth of segregation ice onto the freezing interface. This interface may progress into the till and form ice lenses if supercooling is sufficiently strong. Hence, the ice segregation process develops a stratified basal ice layer. In our model, a high basal temperature gradient ($0.054°C m À1 ) triggers ice stream stoppage, and the loss of basal shear heating leads to relatively high basal freeze-on rates ($3-5 mm a À1 ). In response, the subglacial till experiences comparatively rapid consolidation. Till porosity can decrease from 40% to <25%, and till strength can increase from $3 kPa to >120 kPa, approximately within one century. Basal supercooling arising from redistribution of solutes and ice-water interfacial effects amounts to ca. À0.35°C below the pressuremelting point. Fine-grained till is in our model associated with widely spaced, thick ice lenses. Coarse-grained till yields thinner ice lenses that are more closely spaced. Our model results compare favorably, although not in all details, with available observational evidence from borehole studies of West Antarctic ice streams.

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Section: Assumed Physics Of Basal Freeze‐onmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response of subglacial sediments to basal freeze‐on 1. Theory and comparison to observations from beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet

2003

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“…The ideas expressed by Eq. [1–6] were tested extensively by early researchers and showed good quantitative agreement with experiments on soils composed of uniformly sized particles at temperatures close to T m (Radd and Oertle, 1973; Biermans et al, 1978; Penner, 1959a, 1959b, 1967a, 1973; Miller et al, 1960; Williams, 1963, 1964; Vignes and Dijkema, 1974; Penner and Goodrich, 1981). The simple isothermal capillary model can in principle be adapted to general soil‐freezing situations such as that shown in Fig.…”

Section: Primary Frost Heave (Capillary Theory)mentioning

confidence: 88%

“…If P R is held constant, the water in the reservoir will be at relatively high pressure and water will tend to flow from the reservoir toward the ice lens, where it will freeze onto the lens, causing it to grow. Experimental realizations of this system have demonstrated that if the reservoir has a sufficient supply of water at P R , the ice lens can grow indefinitely, heaving the surface (Radd and Oertle, 1973; Biermans et al, 1978; Ozawa and Kinosita, 1989). The experiments have also confirmed that the flow can be stopped by either reducing the reservoir pressure or increasing P o , until the equilibrium condition P R = P cl is satisfied.…”

Section: Primary Frost Heave (Capillary Theory)mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Physics of Frost Heave and Ice‐Lens Growth

Peppin

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2013

Vadose Zone Journal

123

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The principle cause of frost heave is the forma on of segregated ice-ice lenses-in freezing soil columns. Despite much experimental and theore cal work, there remain many ques ons about the fundamental process by which this occurs. Frost-heave models fall into two main classes: capillary and frozen-fringe models. Which model is appropriate depends on whether there is a frozen fringe; these are diffi cult to observe but some experimental evidence does exist. Recent advances have revitalized the capillary model, such as the engulfment model and the concept of geometrical supercooling. Key experimental and theore cal challenges remain to be resolved.Frost heave refers to the upward displacement of the ground surface caused by the formation of ice lenses-discrete layers of ice that form in freezing soil. h is phenomenon is partly responsible for beautiful surface patterns that appear in very cold, permafrost areas ( Fig. 1). Similar patterned ground has been observed on ice-rich portions of Mars, and the observations have been used to draw interesting conclusions about previous climatic conditions (Gallagher et al., 2011). Frost heave also has many practical and industrial implications. Residents in cold countries are familiar with the annual appearance of frostheave-induced road damage at er winter cold spells, and the heaving forces are capable of damaging infrastructure such as pipelines, railways, and buildings. In the United States, more than two billion dollars is spent annually repairing frost-heave damage to roads alone (DiMillio, 1999). h us, worldwide, the cost is tremendous. h ere are still many unanswered questions about the underlying mechanisms controlling frost heave. Almost a century has passed since Stephen Taber demonstrated experimentally the basic features of frost heave in soils (Taber, 1916(Taber, , 1929(Taber, , 1930, and scientists are still actively working to understand his observations. Taber's key result was to show that frost heave is not, as commonly assumed, caused by the expansion of water on freezing; heWe critically review the two main classes of frost heave models-capillary and frozen-fringe models. We describe recent developments in the fi eld and highlight areas where new research is needed.

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“…The first type is the direct experimental measurement of pore water pressure. Miyata and Akagawa (1997) and Biermans et al (1978) showed the validity of the GCCE during closed-system freezing without water flow by measuring the depression of the pore water pressure at the ice segregation front. Konrad (1989) supported the validity of the GCCE under high initial pore water pressure through measurements of the pore water pressure during soil freezing tests with applied backpressure.…”

Section: Application Conditions Of the Gcce In Soil Freezingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Edlefsen and Anderson (1943) first clarified the physical meaning of the GCCE. Some later experiments also showed that the GCCE was valid under static conditions (Radd and Oertle, 1973;Biermans et al, 1978;Takashi et al, 1981). Li et al (2001) suggested that the GCCE is valid under static conditions where the pressure and temperature remain constant over time.…”

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confidence: 99%