Strength and failure properties of frozen clay under varying loading rates

The strength properties of frozen soils under varying loading rates are the important parameters for improving the mechanical excavation methods and equipments. The strength, modulus and failure properties of frozen clay are studied through a series of uniaxial compressive tests conducted on remolded frozen clay samples. From the test results, it is concluded that (1) The compressive strength and the initial yield stress increase with the decreasing temperature and the increasing loading rate, and there exists a good linear relationship between the failure strength and the initial yield stress. (2) The initial yield modulus and the tangent modulus are sensitive to the temperature and loading rates, and there is a logarithmic function relationship between the tangent modulus and the loading rates under different temperatures. (3) The failure strain and damage time decrease with the increase of loading rates under different temperatures. (4) The effects of temperature on the failure strain and damage time are not evident at large loading rates.