Simple resolution of thermo-kinetic problems in soils

Abstract

Article in French.

ORIGINAL TITLE: Résolution simple de problèmes de thermo-cinétique dans les sols

The frost may cause 3 types of fractures in a soil: the vertical V-shaped cracks, the horizontal cracks and the oblique „septiforme" cracks which are not filled in. The study of the repartition of the forces which give rise to the horizontal cracks shows that they appear in the middle of the thickness of the frozen layer. Upon examination of such a fossil crack, that thickness is therefore determined and according to Berggren's law, one can estimate the severity of the Quaternary winters. Moreover the equation of the fracture in the soil allows the minimal temperature of these winters to be appreciated. For that purpose, one must know the repartition of the temperatures in the soil when in process of congelation. We give a simple graphic method to resolve this problem and various examples of application which determine the physical and climatic conditions necessary for the fracture of the soil.