Investigation on resistance to freezing-thawing effect of solidified saline soil

Two freezing-thawing tests under the conditions of all-around(I) or one-dimension(II) water-supplying to samples without pressure were designed to investigate the resistance to freezing-thawing effect of solidified sulfate-chloride type saline soil widely distributed in the northwest of China.It was shown that different failure patterns were caused by different freezing-thawing conditions.The conception of soil water potential was used for the analysis and explanation of driving force and form of water migration in solidified soil body in either test.The condition of test I brought pressure potential in total soil water potential.Presence of pressure potential led to water concentration in outer part of sample first so that the surface layer of sample was eroded by expansion of ice.But the pressure potential disappeared under the condition of test II so that water could fully diffuse all over the whole solidified soil body.The sample was not smashed up unless the water content reached the critical value.Resistance to freezing-thawing effect of solidified soil was influenced by the dosage of soil stabilizer.However,enough curing period was a key factor for it.