Research on the distribution of saline soil along the Chaerhan-Golmud Highway, northwestern China

In order to assess and improve the engineering stability of saline soil with high chloride content along a 40-km section of the Chaerhan-Golmud Highway in northwestern China, more than 200 monitoring points for saline soil soluble salt chemical tests were established. The total salt content distribution, the chloride ion content distribution, and the sulfate ion content distribution along both sides of road were determined, and the chlorine-sulfur ratio distribution and the PH value distribution along both sides of road were also determined. These chemical contents can significantly affect soil freezing temperatures, frost heave, and salt expansion, which can undermine subgrade stability, ultimately, cause subgrade damage. Therefore, when subgrade filler is selected for this highway, attention must be paid to its chemical indicators as well as its physical properties.