Experimental and numerical study on temperature characteristics of geosynthetics-reinforced soil retaining walls in Taklimakan Desert

To investigate the distribution and evolution characteristics of the internal temperature field in a geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) retaining wall, this study conducted a model test of a GRS retaining wall under temperature cycling based on the climatic conditions of the Taklimakan Desert, and established numerical model. Following validation of the numerical model, a full-scale model considering solar radiation effect was further developed to analyze the evolution characteristics of the temperature field inside the wall over five annual temperature cycles. The results show that the poor thermal conductivity of dry aeolian sand causes a lag in the extreme temperature values at monitoring points relative to the ambient temperature, with the lag time increasing as the number of cycles accumulates. As the number of temperature cycles increases, both the vertical frost depth and horizontal frost thickness within the wall gradually increase. During a complete annual cycle, the temperature field transitions from hyperbolic to frozen core and back to hyperbolic distribution as ambient temperature rises. Conversely, it shifts from hyperbolic to heated core and back to hyperbolic distribution during cooling. The temperature curves on horizontal cross‑sections within the wall can be used to identify temperature‑sensitive zones, though their specific characteristics are influenced by factors such as ambient temperature and thermal parameters of the backfill material. This study provides a theoretical basis and data support for the design and maintenance of reinforced soil retaining walls in desert regions.