Engineering Characteristics of Antarctic and Siberian Frozen Soils

남극 및 시베리아 흙의 동토공학적 특성 분석

In this study, soil samples from the Antarctic and Vladivostok, Siberia were tested in the laboratory, and specific gravity, compaction curve and grain size distribution were determined. The effect of temperature change on the thermal conductivity, unfrozen water content and compressive strength were investigated. Samples for the compressive strength test were prepared in a mold with a fixed volume to prevent swelling and the effect of temperature and water content change on the strength were compared. Results from the thermal conductivity test showed that thermal conductivity values for both soils were larger at temperatures below freezing than above freezing. The unfrozen water content dropped sharply within a temperature range of $0{\sim}-5^{\circ}C$ and then gradually decreased further up to $-20^{\circ}C$. Compressive strength test results showed various stress/deformation curves with a change in water content. Sandy soil had much larger strength than pure ice at an identical temperature, while clayey soil had a smaller strength than ice near the freezing point, but showed a larger strength at temperatures belows $-15^{\circ}C$.