Temperature and Freeze-Thaw Effects on Dynamic Properties of Fine-Grained Soils
Publication: Journal of Cold Regions Engineering
Volume 29, Issue 2
Abstract
Consider that the Mable Creek silt in central Alaska liquefied during the November 2002 earthquake. Subsequently, frozen samples of these fine-grained soils were retrieved for laboratory study. This paper presents the influence on dynamic properties by temperature changes from below freezing to near freezing, and by freeze-thaw cycles. Sample temperature change was simulated by gradually applying the increasing temperatures of , 0.5, 1, 5, and 24°C. Sample seasonal climate change was simulated by applying 1, 2, and 4 freeze-thaw cycles. Tests on specimens conditioned at 0.5 and through different thermal conditioning paths were also performed. Determination of the soil’s dynamic properties was investigated using triaxial strain-controlled cyclic tests. The shear modulus was found to decrease when the temperature increased from near freezing to above freezing; however, the damping ratio reached a maximum value when temperature was at or near freezing. Applying 1, 2, and 4 freeze-thaw cycles resulted in an increase in both the dynamic shear modulus and the damping ratio. Thermal conditioning paths with the same target near-freezing temperature were found to impact dynamic properties.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by Alaska Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) National Science Foundation (NSF) award #EPS-0701898, the state of Alaska, Permafrost Technology Foundation, and Alaska University Transportation Center.
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Published In
Journal of Cold Regions Engineering
Volume 29 • Issue 2 • June 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 22, 2013
Accepted: Jun 30, 2014
Published online: Sep 2, 2014
Discussion open until: Feb 2, 2015
Published in print: Jun 1, 2015
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