Thaw consolidation behaviours of embankments in permafrost regions with periodical temperature boundaries

•A modified simulation method was proposed for thaw settlement of permafrost embankment.•The proposed method has a good performance in simulating seasonal thaw settlement.•Thaw consolidation degree increases at initial period and then decreases continuously.•The decreasing rate of thaw consolidation degree is a power function of thaw consolidation ratio.

A modified simulation method based on large strain thaw consolidation theory was proposed for the thaw consolidation behaviours of permafrost embankment. It was verified using monitored data that the new method has a good performance in simulating seasonal changes of thaw settlement. For permafrost embankment with different thermal and mechanical properties, the consolidation process in the post-thawed layer of top ground surface will accomplish during initial operating period. After that, thaw consolidation degree will decrease continuously. The decreasing rate of thaw consolidation degree (Dr) is proportional to thaw consolidation ratio (R) of deep permafrost layer. Regression analysis indicates that Dr is a power function of R.