干旱区研究

Arid Zone Research >

2025 , Vol. 42 >Issue 10: 1841 - 1850

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13866/j.azr.2025.10.08

Land and Water Resources

Effects of freeze-thaw cycles on shear characteristics and microstructure of alpine meadow soil in riparian zone

  • XU Pengkai ,
  • ZHU Haili ,
  • LI Benfeng ,
  • ZHANG Hailong ,
  • WU Yuechen ,
  • HONG Chenze ,
  • LIU Yabin ,
  • LI Guorong
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  • 1. Department of Geological Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, Qinghai, China
    2. Laboratory of Cenozoic Resources and Environment on the Northern Margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Xining 810016, Qinghai, China
    3. Qinghai Traffic Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd., Xining 810016, Qinghai, China

Received date: 2025-03-01

  Revised date: 2025-05-31

  Online published: 2025-10-22

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Abstract

The mechanical properties of root-influenced soil on the meandering riverbank in the source region of the Yellow River under freeze-thaw cycles directly affect its stability and lateral evolution. Using triaxial shear tests performed on root-influenced soil with a root content of 7% under freeze-thaw cycles, in combination with microstructural analysis, this study investigated the evolution law of the shear resistance characteristics of the soil in the alpine meadow riverbank zone in the source region of the Yellow River under freeze-thaw cycles and explored the regulatory mechanism of the meadow root system. The results showed that after 15 freeze-thaw cycles, the soil mechanical properties deteriorated significantly. In root-free soil, the difference of principal stress decreased by 30.67%, cohesion decreased by 25.47%, and porosity increased by 20.02%. In contrast, in root-influenced soil, the difference of principal stress decreased by only 28%, cohesion decreased by 5.8%, and porosity increased by<10%. Microscopic analysis showed that the root system constrains the fragmentation and migration of particles through reinforcement and inhibits the expansion of pores through the anchoring effect, thereby reducing freeze-thaw damage. The findings reveal the mechanism by which plant roots enhance the freeze-thaw resistance of soil, thus providing a theoretical basis for the ecological restoration and stability maintenance of riverbank zones in cold regions.

Key words： source region of the Yellow River; freeze-thaw cycle; shear strength; rooted soil; microstructure

Cite this article

XU Pengkai , ZHU Haili , LI Benfeng , ZHANG Hailong , WU Yuechen , HONG Chenze , LIU Yabin , LI Guorong . Effects of freeze-thaw cycles on shear characteristics and microstructure of alpine meadow soil in riparian zone[J]. Arid Zone Research, 2025 , 42(10) : 1841 -1850 . DOI: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.10.08

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