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The article describes the results of laboratory studies on the unfrozen water content and ultimate long-term strength of frozen clay and chalk samples in the temperature range from -10 to -25 �C. The soil samples contained dissolved salt in the pore space, with three types of salts (NaCl, KCl, and CaCl2) being considered. The findings indicate that the influence of the content and type of dissolved salt on the ultimate long-term strength of soils is realized indirectly through the unfrozen water content. In this case, the soil freezing characteristic curve in the region of negative temperatures significantly depends on both the type of dissolved salt and its quantity. The experimental data obtained were used to parameterize the model and calculate the maximum bearing capacity of the frozen wall (FW) in the presence of dissolved salts in the volume of frozen soils. It has been demonstrated that the decrease in the maximum FW bearing capacity is substantial with the appearance of dissolved salt in the pore space of the soils. This decrease is at-tributed to the combined effects of two factors: 1) a reduction in the FW thickness and 2) a decrease in the frozen soil strength due to an increase in the amount of unfrozen water content in the soil pore space. The second factor is deemed more significant.

The article describes the results of laboratory studies on the unfrozen water content and ultimate long-term strength of frozen clay and chalk samples in the temperature range from −10 to −25 °C. The soil samples contained dissolved salt in the pore space, with three types of salts (NaCl, KCl, and CaCl2) being considered. The findings indicate that the influence of the content and type of dissolved salt on the ultimate long-term strength of soils is realized indirectly through the unfrozen water content. In this case, the soil freezing characteristic curve in the region of negative temperatures significantly depends on both the type of dissolved salt and its quantity. The experimental data obtained were used to parameterize the model and calculate the maximum bearing capacity of the frozen wall (FW) in the presence of dissolved salts in the volume of frozen soils. It has been demonstrated that the decrease in the maximum FW bearing capacity is substantial with the appearance of dissolved salt in the pore space of the soils. This decrease is at-tributed to the combined effects of two factors: 1) a reduction in the FW thickness and 2) a decrease in the frozen soil strength due to an increase in the amount of unfrozen water content in the soil pore space. The second factor is deemed more significant.

Artificial ground freezing during mine shaft construction is a costly endeavor. For effective decision-making in mining operations, it's essential to establish robust control over frozen soil conditions. This control holds paramount importance for ensuring mining safety. After considering the existing approaches to the control of artificial ground freezing, we conducted an analysis of their respective advantages and disadvantages. We introduced two novel principles for controlling the freezing process. These principles mark a substantial advancement from the previously proposed freeze-on-demand concept. Subsequently, we illustrated the practical implementation of these principles by sharing our experience in controlling artificial ground freezing during the construction of two potash mine shafts in the Republic of Belarus. One of the most noteworthy outcomes of this control is the development of innovative technical solutions aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and operational safety in shaft sinking. These solutions encompass interval-based permission for mining activities, facilitating earlier shaft sinking initiation. Another significant solution pertains to swiftly responding, devising, and implementing strategies to counteract groundwater infiltration within one of the frozen soil layers.

The construction of shafts of potash mines in flooded and unstable soils is usually carried out with the help of artificial ground freezing. The freezing process aims to form a waterproof frozen wall (FW) around the shaft and is monitored throughout the construction of the mine shaft. This paper describes the results of the temperature monitoring of the FW around the skip shaft of a potash mine under construction. The data on temperature measurements in control-thermal boreholes were used to parameterize the mathematical model of heat transfer, which allowed for the reconstruction of the temperature field throughout the entire cooled and frozen soil volume. The resulting temperature distribution in the FW zone for greater than one year was used to determine the distribution of the strength properties and calculate the temporary change in the limiting value of the external lateral load on an FW of a given thickness and specified thermomechanical properties. The obtained dependencies of the maximum external load on the FW can be used to optimize the operation mode of the freezing station at the ice holding stage (or passive freezing) to increase the energy efficiency of the system and ensure the structural integrity of the FW.

This paper describes the results of the temperature monitoring of a frozen wall (FW) around the skip shaft of a potash mine under construction. The data on temperature measurements in control-thermal boreholes were used to parameterize the mathematical model of heat transfer, which allowed for the reconstruction of the temperature field throughout the entire cooled and frozen soil volume. The resulting temperature distribution in the FW zone for greater than 1 year was used to determine the distribution of the strength properties and calculate the temporary change in the limiting value of the external lateral load on an FW of a given thickness and specified thermomechanical properties. The obtained dependencies of the maximum external load on the FW can be used to optimize the operation mode of the freezing station at the ice holding stage (or passive freezing) to increase the energy efficiency of the system and ensure the structural integrity of the FW.

Artificial ground freezing (AGF) is a common technology of shaft sinking through water-bearing strata. The AGF technique is used to create a frozen wall preventing shaft flooding. An additional factor that makes shaft sinking more complicated is associated with external groundwater flows occurred due to hydrostatic pressure gradients. In this paper, we study the influence of groundwater seepage on the frozen wall formation in fluid-saturated rock mass in the framework of the two-dimensional two-phase Darcy-Stefan problem. The results of numerical simulation of the thermal and hydraulic properties of the sandstone layer at the site of Petrikov Mining and Processing Plant are presented. It has been found that the external groundwater flow has a significant effect on the growth of a frozen wall in the case when the groundwater velocity magnitude is greater than or equal to 50 mm/day. This critical seepage velocity strongly depends on how quickly the water content and rock mass permeability decrease with decreasing temperature, or on the parameters of the rock mass freezing characteristic curve and permeability versus temperature curve. The proper setting of these parameters is a sine qua non for creating adequate mathematical models of heat and mass processes in the artificially frozen water-saturated rock mass.

Artificial ground freezing (AGF) is a common technology of shaft sinking through water-bearing strata. The AGF technique is used to create a frozen wall preventing shaft flooding. An additional factor that makes shaft sinking more complicated is associated with external groundwater flows occurred due to hydrostatic pressure gradients. In this paper, we study the influence of groundwater seepage on the frozen wall formation in fluid-saturated rock mass in the framework of the two-dimensional two-phase Darcy-Stefan problem. The results of numerical simulation of the thermal and hydraulic properties of the sandstone layer at the site of Petrikov Mining and Processing Plant are presented. It has been found that the external groundwater flow has a significant effect on the growth of a frozen wall in the case when the groundwater velocity magnitude is greater than or equal to 50 mm/day. This critical seepage velocity strongly depends on how quickly the water content and rock mass permeability decrease with decreasing temperature, or on the parameters of the rock mass freezing characteristic curve and permeability versus temperature curve. The proper setting of these parameters is a sine qua non for creating adequate mathematical models of heat and mass processes in the artificially frozen water-saturated rock mass.

The paper describes a distributed temperature sensing system that was used to monitor the artificial freezing of soils during the construction of a potash mine shaft. The technique of reconstructing the temperature field by solving the inverse problem in the entire volume of frozen soils using the measured temperatures in four thermal monitoring (TM) wells is described. Two local anomalies in temperature distributions in TM wells are described and analyzed theoretically using thermo-hydraulic modeling. The first anomaly concerns the asymmetric temperature distribution in one of the soil layers and is associated with the influence of natural groundwater flow in the horizontal direction. The second anomaly consists of a sharp decrease in water temperature in the section of the TM well located inside the freezing contour. Calculations showed that it is most likely associated with the entry of cold groundwater from the overlying layers of soils through a well filter at a depth of 160 m and the subsequent movement of the water up the well.