Experimental studies on the ripped-rock revetment embankment in permafrost regions of the Qinghai–Tibet railroad

This paper reports experimental studies on the ripped-rock revetment embankment and the traditional embankment in permafrost regions of the Qinghai–Tibet railroad. The laboratory embankment models were designed according to similarity theory. Preliminary results show that the temperature distribution of the traditional embankment was asymmetric; the asymmetry was changed after the ripped-rock revetment was installed and the soil under the ripped-rock was cooled. Preliminary field experiment results show that the temperature trend under the ripped-rock was consistent with the result of the laboratory tests. The thickness of the ripped-rock on the south slope should be greater than 80 cm in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Experimental studies show that the ripped-rock revetment can cool the embankment and adjust the temperature distribution near the north and south slopes of embankment, and is an available technique to protect embankment from thawing settlement and longitudinal cracks in permafrost regions.