Services
GROUND FREEZING
DFI/CSCE 13th Annual Geotechnical Seminar: Earth Slope Engineering
September 17th, 2010
Dam Safety 2010
September 19th, 2010
The 10th International Workshop on Micropiles
September 22nd, 2010
Artificial ground freezing has been practiced in construction for more than a century. The technique is cost-effective in a relatively well-defined niche where both support of excavation and groundwater cut-off are required and the ground improvement must be provided at significant depth or in difficult, disturbed, or sensitive ground.
The ground freezing process converts in situ pore water to ice through the circulation of a chilled liquid via a system of small-diameter pipes placed in drilled holes. The ice acts to fuse the soil or rock particles together, creating a frozen mass of improved compressive strength and impermeability. Brine is the typical cooling agent, although liquid nitrogen can be used in emergency situations or where the freeze is only required to be maintained for a few days.
Ground freezing is primarily used for access shafts, and for creating frozen earth cofferdams for excavations. Ground freezing has also emerged as a useful tool for environmental clean-up and for containment of contamination. Moretrench is recognized as an industry leader in this highly specialized technology and the company has successfully completed many significant projects across North America.