| KEYWORD |
Numerical modelling of the artificial ground freezing technique for building tunnels and shafts
keywords ARTIFICIAL GROUND FREEZING, GEOTECHNICS, MECHANICS OF POROUS MEDIA, SOIL REINFORCEMENT, TUNNELS
Reference persons MARINA PIRULLI
External reference persons ALESSANDRO LEONARDI
GIULIA LA PORTA
Thesis type NUMERICAL
Description Artificial Ground Freezing (AGF) is a soil reinforcement technique for building tunnels and shafts. Freezing spikes are inserted inside the ground, causing the freezing process of the pore water. Consequently, the soil increases its strength and stiffness, allowing a safer building of the structure. The AGF technique is nowadays widely used, but the physical process still pertains uncertainties and an open discussion is ongoing. During the freezing process, a three-phase system is observed, consisting of the coexistence of soil, water and ice, which interact thermally, hydraulically and mechanically. In this contest, numerical modelling, calibrated on experimental tests, can allow a deeper understanding. The student will contribute to develop a three-phase model of the soil as a porous material (soil + water + ice), with thermal, hydraulic and mechanical interactions. The work requires good numerical skills, or interest in acquiring them.
A collaboration with the University of Rome Tor Vergata is envisioned.
Required skills Continuum Mechanics, fundamentals of Geotechnics and Hydraulics or, alternatively, Mechanics of Porous Media
Attitude/interest in numerical methods and applications
Notes Please contact Ms. La Porta (giulia.laporta@polito.it) for more information
Deadline 21/07/2022
PROPONI LA TUA CANDIDATURA