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Soil freezing
Soil freezing or soil solidification is a temporary reinforcement of water-containing soil by means of ice walls. The concept is to convert pore water into frozen water (ice). The frozen pore water acts as a bonding agent, fusing together particles of soil thus increasing significantly the compressive strength of the frozen soil and make it impervious to water seepage. Frozen ground may be used to provide stabilization, resistance and a watertight barrier during deep excavations, cross passages between tunnels or excavations in urban areas.
Construction sequence
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Fields of application
• Presence of sufficient groundwater essential, but no major groundwater flow
• Complex excavations in urban environment, difficult to access and in tight working conditions (limited surface)
• Protection for gallery passage, circular and deep excavations, cross passages between tunnels.
Environmental impact
• Space required for the refrigeration equipment
• Heave or settlement from ground freezing operations may occur (control of pipes or existing structures necessary)
• Proper know-how of the freezing method: strict control of the soil freezing operation, avoid stopping and turning on of the refrigeration unit.