Elastic behavior of saturated porous materials under undrained freezing

The elastic behavior of saturated porous materials under undrained freezing is investigated by using a poromechanical approach. Thermodynamic equilibria are used to describe the crystallization process of the partially frozen solution in bulk state and confined state in pores. By phase transition at freezing, fusion energy, thermal contraction of solid, solution and ice crystals, volume changes of crystallization build up remarkable pore pressure that induces expansion or shrinkage of solid matrix. Owing to the lower chemical potential when pore water mixes with salts, fewer ice forms in pores. Penetration of ice into the porous materials increases the capillary pressure, but limits effect on the pore liquid pressure and the strain of solid matrix. On the contrary, the pore pressure induced by solution density rises as salt concentration increases and causes significant shrinkage of solid matrix.