25 / 2025-07-10 10:14:26

Research on the Macroscopic and Microscopic Damage Characteristics Mechanism of Compacted and Remolded Loess under Wet-Dry-Freeze-Thaw Cycling Conditions

Compacted and Remolded Loess,Wet-Dry-Freeze-Thaw Cycling,Damage Characteristics Mechanism

Rainfall and freeze-thaw cycles exert significant impacts on the mechanical strength and stability of slopes. Numerous studies have highlighted that dry-wet (WD) cycles and seasonal freeze-thaw (FT) cycles are critical external dynamic factors contributing to slope deformation and failure. However, most of these studies have primarily focused on the phenomena of dry-wet-induced collapses and landslides resulting from WD cycles, or the phenomena of frost heaving, mudflows, and collapses caused by FT cycles within a certain depth range of slopes.Over the past few decades, scholars both domestically and internationally have conducted extensive investigations into the swelling-shrinkage characteristics, hydraulic properties, crack propagation, and strength behaviors of rock and soil materials under WD cycles. Meanwhile, in seasonal frozen soil regions, considering that the periodic fluctuation of atmospheric temperature in winter constitutes the most destructive factor in cold climates, some researchers have explored the influences of FT cycles on the hydro-mechanical behaviors of geotechnical materials. Additionally, many researchers have noted that geological materials in seasonal frozen soil regions are actually subjected to the combined action of WD and FT cycles, rather than being affected by WD or FT cycles in isolation.The study area in northern Shaanxi features concentrated rainfall, along with a climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters with frequent snow and ice events, thus being subjected to the combined effects of WD and FT cycles. Against this backdrop, this paper investigates the macroscopic and microscopic damage characteristics of compacted and remolded loess under wet-dry freeze-thaw (WDFT) conditions.