A constitutive model for frozen soil based on rate-dependent damage evolution

Abstract

The deformation of frozen soil under impact loading is usually accompanied by the evolution of internal defects and microdamage. By taking the strain and strain rates into account, a rate-dependent damage evolution law is proposed in this study, under the assumption of equivalent strain. Subsequently, a damage-modified rate-dependent constitutive model is proposed to describe the dynamic mechanical properties of frozen soil. A split Hopkinson pressure bar is utilized to test the dynamic mechanical response of frozen soil at different temperatures and high strain rates. The experimental results show that frozen soil produces obvious strain rate and temperature effects, and that there is a linear relationship between the peak stress and temperature. The theoretical results of the proposed constitutive model agree well with the experimental results, verifying the applicability of the model.