Experimental Study on the Effect of Fine-Grained Soil Content on the Freezing Strength of Aeolian Sand-Cement Interface

Abstract

In cold regions, understanding the freezing strength of the interface between soil and structure is crucial for designing frost-resistant foundations. To investigate how the content of cement powder in aeolian sand affects this strength, we conducted direct shear tests under various conditions such as different fine-grained soil content, normal stress, and initial moisture content of the soil. By analyzing parameters like soil properties, and volume of ice content, and using the Mohr-Coulomb strength theory to define interface strength, we aimed to indirectly measure the cementation strength of the interface. Our findings revealed that as the particle content increased, the interface stress-strain curves became noticeably stiffer. We also observed a positive linear relationship between freezing strength and silt content, while the initial moisture content of the soil did not significantly impact the strengthening effect of fine-grained soil on freezing strength. Moreover, we discovered that as the powder content increased, the force binding the ice to the interface decreased, while the friction angle at the interface increased. However, the cohesion force at the interface remained relatively unchanged. Overall, our analysis suggests that the increase in freezing strength due to fine-grained soil content is primarily due to the heightened friction between aeolian sand and the interface.