This study focused on the coupling heat transfer mechanism and the cooling efficiency of L-shaped two-phase closed thermosyphons (L-shaped TPCTs) in the wide subgrade of permafrost regions. Considering the fact that time–space dynamics change the effects of the air temperature, wind speed, and geotemperature, a coupled air temperature–L-shaped TPCT–subgrade soil heat transfer model was established using the ANSYS 15.0 software platform, and the rationality of the model was verified through measured data. The heat-transfer characteristics of the L-shaped TPCTs and the long-term thermal stability of the subgrade were studied under different inclination angles of the evaporator (α = 15°, 30°, 50°, 70°, and 90°). Then, the cooling effectiveness of a composite subgrade with TPCTs and an XPS insulation board was numerically calculated. The results show that the heat flux of the L-shaped TPCT was the greatest when α = 50°, and the heat flux reached the maximum value of 165.7 W·m⁻² in January. The L-shaped TPCT had a relatively good cooling effect on the subgrade as a whole when α = 50° and 70°, but the thawing depth at the center of the subgrade with L-shaped TPCTs reached 9.0 m below the ground surface in the 30th year. The composite subgrade with L-shaped TPCTs/vertical TPCT/XPS insulation board is an effective method to protect the permafrost foundation and improve the long-term thermal stability of the wide subgrade. The maximum heat flux of evaporation section of the L-shaped TPCT is 18.8% higher than that of the vertical TPCT during the working period of the TPCTs of the composite subgrade.

The shear creep characteristics of the contact surface between the permafrost and the structure play an important role in the study of the law of deformation and the measures for the prevention and control of pile foundations. In order to study the creep law and the development tendency of the contact surface between permafrost and concrete, it is necessary to establish an accurate creep model. In this study, based on the Nishihara model, a nonlinear element and damage factor D were introduced to establish an intrinsic model of permafrost-concrete contact surfaces considering the effect of shear stress. Creep tests with graded loading of concrete and frozen silt with different roughness at -1°C were conducted using a large stress-controlled shear apparatus. The adequacy of the model was checked using the test data and the regularity of the parameters of the model was investigated. The results show that the creep curves of the contact surface obtained with the improved Nishihara model agree well with the test results and can better describe the whole process of creep of the contact surface of frozen concrete. The analysis of the experimental data shows that: the roughness of the concrete has an inhibiting effect on the creep deformation of the contact surface, When the roughness R varies from 0 mm to 1.225 mm, the specimen corresponds to a long-term strength of 32.84 kPa to 34.57 kPa. For the same roughness and creep time, the creep deformation of the contact surface is more significant with the increasing shear stress τ. The results of the study can provide a theoretical basis for the design and numerical simulation of pile foundations in permafrost regions.

Tensile strength is one of the key parameters in the mechanics of frozen ground, widely applied in the engineering design of frozen ground and theoretical research on frost heave. Fiber-reinforced soil technology has attracted considerable attention from numerous researchers. This study utilised a custom-designed tensile testing apparatus to investigate the influence of polypropylene fiber content, freezing temperature, and loading rate on the mechanical response of frozen loess. Combined with microscopic structural observations, the research elucidates the fiber reinforcement mechanism. Experiments revealed that fiber incorporation transformed the soil’s failure mode from brittle fracture to ductile failure, characterised by multiple fissures, significantly enhancing the material’s load-bearing capacity and deformation properties. Optimal reinforcement was achieved at a fiber content of 0.3%, with tensile strength increasing by 71.4% compared to unfibered soil. The stress-strain response exhibited sustained strengthening characteristics. Tensile strength exhibits exponential growth with decreasing freezing temperatures and linear increase with rising loading rates. The incorporation of fibers further enhances the material’s response capability under dynamic loading conditions. Microstructural analysis indicates that an appropriate fiber content effectively fills soil pores and forms a spatial network structure, whereas excessive fibers cause agglomeration due to uneven distribution, resulting in structural weakening. This research provides experimental evidence and theoretical reference for the design and application of fiber-modified frozen ground in engineering projects within cold regions