Tensile Strength Properties of Lunar Soil Simulant JSC-1

Lunar soil (regolith) simulant JSC–1 has been widely used by a variety of investigators. Standard laboratory measurements were conducted to characterize the tensile strengths, grain size distribution and other basic behavior. Direct tension experiments were conducted on JSC–1 to determine its tensile strength, which is significant, at different densities. The specimens were prepared through miniature compaction techniques. The effects of density as well as specimen height on the tensile strength are determined. This paper presents the results from extensive experimental studies to illustrate the tensile behavior of JSC-1 regolith simulant, which may be of importance in future designs of infrastructure and in-situ resource utilization on the Moon.