Characterization of unfrozen water in highly organic turfy soil during freeze-thaw by nuclear magnetic resonance

The unfrozen water content (wu) is an important parameter affecting the hydrothermal-mechanical character-istics of soil and is of important significance with regard to engineering construction and environmental effects in cold regions. In this study, a widely-distributed special humus soil called turfy soil, with poor engineering geological properties, from seasonally frozen regions of northeastern China was investigated. Soil fundamental properties were determined, and wu under various temperatures during a freeze-thaw process was measured by the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method. Based on NMR theory and transverse relaxation time (T2) dis-tribution curves, two thresholds were determined to divide the types of pore water in soil. Soil freezing char-acteristic curves (SFCC) of the total and pore water were drawn, and changes in the internal microstructure and pore characteristics of the soil during the freeze-thaw process were analyzed. The results showed that a drastic phase change within the soil occurs during-2 degrees C to-4 degrees C, and the freezing process can be divided into three stages. The formation of small pores and the connection of large pores make the soil looser after freeze-thaw. The division of pore water and variation in wu show that freezing starts from large pores, while thawing starts from small pores. The capillary water content significantly decreases after freeze-thaw, and the bulk water content tends to increase. At freezing Stage I, wu is closely related to the initial properties of the soil, whereas wu at-3 degrees C almost determines the value of wu during subsequent freeze-thaw. Finally, a wu-power function for turfy soil was proposed, and good fitting results were obtained for both freezing and thawing soil. This work can serve as the basis of studies on soil with high organic matter content as well as soil unfrozen water content during freeze --thaw cycles in cold regions.

Automated summary

This study investigated the freezing characteristics of a widely distributed soil called turfy soil in seasonally frozen regions of northeastern China using the nuclear magnetic resonance method. The results showed a significant phase change within the soil between -2°C to -4°C, and the freezing process could be divided into three stages. The formation of small pores and the connection of large pores made the soil looser after freeze-thaw. The findings provide a basis for studying soil with high organic matter content and the unfrozen water content during freeze-thaw cycles in cold regions.