Dynamic and Resilient Modulus of Frozen soils

Abstract: The dynamic and resilient modulus of frozen soils are pivotal parameters for assessing their mechanical properties under various loading conditions. This study characterizes the material properties of frozen soils, essential for transportation infrastructure, using modified AASHTO T 342 and 307 procedures. The dynamic modulus measures the soil's ability to deform elastically under cyclic loading, while the resilient modulus reflects its capacity to recover from deformation. Influences such as freeze-thaw cycles, moisture content, and temperature play significant roles in these properties, with ice bonds in frozen soils breaking at different frequencies and temperatures, thus affecting mechanical behavior.
This research modifies the Dynamic Modulus test procedure to determine the specific properties and behaviors of soil under low-temperature loads. Adjustments include utilizing different test equipment, sample preparation methods, and modifying test conditions (frequency, amplitude, temperature) to replicate field conditions accurately. Comparative analyses were conducted using two moisture contents of the following sandy silt (ML), lean clay (CL), and fat clay (CH) in order to characterize the behavior of frost susceptible subgrade soils. Understanding these moduli is crucial for designing and maintaining infrastructure in cold regions, ensuring the durability and safety of transportation networks. This knowledge enables better predictions of how frozen soils will respond under traffic loads, vital for engineering projects in challenging environments.