Numerical Modeling of frost heave

Frost heave, the upward deformation of soil structures due to freezing water, necessitates a more nuanced explanation than simple water expansion. This phenomenon arises in porous media, like soil, where the formation and pressure exerted by large ice crystals, termed ice lenses, are the primary drivers. Modeling ice lens formation presents a significant challenge due to the intricate interplay between water transport, phase change, and soil-ice interaction. We present a phase field model for ice crystallization in porous media. The deformation of the soil matrix is simulated using Discrete Element Method (DEM). We use a Lattice Boltzmann Method to solve the phase field. This research contributes to a deeper comprehension of frost heave processes and has the potential to facilitate the development of more accurate prediction models.