Mechanical properties of frozen mixed soils with different coarse-grained contents

Abstract

Abstract For the purpose of investigating the mechanical properties of frozen mixed soils, a series of triaxial compression tests were conducted with the confining pressures ranging from 0.3 to 6.0MPa and coarse-grained contents from 100:0 to 100:80 at the temperature of -6°C. The experimental results indicate that the strength presents an increasing tendency at first and then decreases with increase of confining pressures, whereas appearing to downtrend with increasing coarse-grained contents. And thus the mechanical behaviours are analyzed in detail, including the stress-strain characteristics and strength criterion. Additionally, it is interpreted for the pressure melting phenomenon using the modified Mohr-Coulomb strength criterion. Finally, laboratory investigations demonstrate that different fractions of coarse grains have great influences on the mechanical features of frozen mixed soils.