# Study of the Effect of Cutting Frozen Soils on the Supports of Above-Ground Trunk Pipelines
## 3 Results  
### Development of Above-Ground Trunk Pipeline Support Design  
As a result of this scientific study, a novel device has been developed to maintain the design position of an above-ground trunk pipeline when operating in areas with permafrost soils [46; 47]. The device functions by cutting through the frozen soil caused by frost heave forces with its sharp edge on the support slab. The proposed support structure of the above-ground trunk pipeline was modeled using Autodesk Inventor software and is depicted in Figure 2.  
The proposed design of the support structure has the potential to enhance the stability of above-ground trunk pipelines in areas with continuous permafrost spreading. The sharp edge cuts through the bloated frozen soil sideways, thereby preventing vertical shifting of the support. By cutting the frozen soil and reducing residual swelling, the support slab can effectively protect the pipeline from the effects of frost heaving. This leads to a decrease in the stress-strain state of the pipeline, thus increasing its operational reliability and reducing the need for frequent inspections. The sharp edge of the support slab plays a crucial role in ensuring the stability of the pipeline. Development of an Experimental Bench to Assess the Loads Taken by the Devices and Forces Required to Cut Frozen Ground  
The soils utilized in this study consist of clay, sand, and sandy loam, which are representative of the key mineral components present in regions with permafrost. The experimental materials comprised of clay, quartz sand, and a loam composed of clay and quartz sand, with a clay content of 20% in the sandy loam. The preparation of the materials for the cutting experiment was carried out as follows:  
Figure 2: Model of above-ground trunk pipeline support structure: 1—a metal pipeline with a diameter of 1420 mm; 2—metallic base with a width of 450 mm and length of 1500 m; 3—metallic half-collar: with a width of 450 mm and length of 1500 m; 4—metallic cross-arm table: with a width of 450 mm, length of 1600 mm and thickness of 120 mm; 5—support slab reinforced concrete with a length of 2200 mm, width of 600 mm, a height of 7000 mm, sharp edge angle 30 degrees; 6—spring damper, metal: with a spring diameter of 190 mm; 7—screw pile and metal with a diameter 180 mm, length of 8000 mm; 8—ground permafrost. 1. Clay, sand, and sandy loam were saturated with water. 2. The required mass was weighed using electronic scales and the clay and quartz sand were blended evenly with a small amount of water (Figure 3) to achieve a water content of 15%. 3. The prepared samples were placed in a cylindrical metal tube with a diameter of 350 mm and a sample thickness of 350 mm. The container with the sample was then placed in a refrigerator for 48 h to freeze the sample at the desired temperature (\(-4\)\({}^{\circ}\)C to \(-10\)\({}^{\circ}\)C). 4. After the freezing process, the samples were characterized using a compression test installation to determine the soil deformation parameter, a stabilometer for three-axis compression tests to study the soil's mechanical properties, and a single-plane shear testing installation on the freezing surface to determine the soil's strength and deformability index. The results of the characteristics of the frozen soil are presented in Table 1. The physical properties of the soil were determined using a flask with a beaker and scales (Figure 4). 5. Finally, the sample was placed in the cold chamber of the press (Figure 5) and the necessary temperature was maintained to ensure the validity of the experiment. 6. Further, a static load was applied to the sharp edge using a press, as the bloating process occurs slowly and results in an evenly applied load with 1 mm displacements. This displacement closely resembles real-life cryogenic conditions. The experiments were conducted three times for each sample and temperature, and the average values were calculated and rounded to whole numbers based on the results of the repetitions.