A Possible force mechanism associated with the freezing of water in porous materials

The thermodynamic equilibrium conditions for a water-ice interface in a pore of a porous medium are derived. It is found that, taking the geometry and physical dimensions of the pore into consideration, a positive pressure must develop between the ice and the solid in order for equilibrium to be maintained when the temperature at the freezing plane is depressed. A simple model utilizing this mechanism exhibits the same properties as a frost-heaving soil. The influence of air in the pores is briefly discussed.Le probl\ue8me consiste \ue0 \ue9tablir les conditions d'\ue9quilibre thermodynamique d'une interface eau-glace dans l'un des pores d'un milieu poreux. Or, compte tenu de la g\ue9om\ue9trie et des dimensions du pore, une pression positive doit appara\uee tre entre la glace et le solide, afin que l'\ue9quilibre soit maintenu lorsque la temp\ue9rature diminue dans le plan de la cong\ue9lation. Un mod\ue8le simple, bas\ue9 sur ce m\ue9canisme, r\ue9v\ue8 le les m\ueames propri\ue9t\ue9s qu'un sol soulev\ue9 par le gel. L' auteur discute bri\ue8vement l'influence de l'air dans les pores.Peer reviewed: NoNRC publication: Ye