Laboratory Investigation of Deformation and Strength Characteristics of Saline Frozen Silty Sand

Abstract

A series of triaxial compressive strength tests was conducted to investigate the effect of Na
₂SO
₄ and confining pressure on the deformation and strength characteristics of frozen silty sand at 6°C. The initial elastic modulus increased with increases in the salt content, whereas the confining pressure had only a slight effect. An increase in the confining pressure resulted in an increase in strength. The results illustrated that the cohesion of the frozen soil initially increased and then decreased with increase in the Na₂SO₄ content, whereas the internal friction angle as well as the strength exhibited a decrease followed by an increase with increase in the Na₂SO₄ content.