Effects of freeze–thaw cycles on the shear stress induced on the cemented sand–structure interface

Abstract

Freeze–thaw alternation and freeze–thaw cycle erosion are the main reasons for the failure of the cemented soil–structure interface in cold regions. In this study, the direct shear and cyclic direct shear tests of cemented sand–structure interface were conducted in the frozen state (−10 °C) and thawed state (25 °C) at a 300 kPa normal stress under different freeze–thaw cycles (i.e., 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30). The experimental results for the shear stresses of the cemented sand–structure interface are presented, and the mechanism of shear stress formation and change was examined through mesoscopic analysis. Variations in shear stress with different freeze–thaw cycles were consistent. Typically, 10 was identified as the critical freeze–thaw cycle number for adfreeze strength, and the hyperbolic model of shear stress–displacement curve in the thawed state was obtained. The peak shear stresses of different freeze–thaw cycles gradually decreased as the shearing cycle number increased until entering a stable stage in frozen state and were close to each other in the thawed state. The internal damage of cemented sand and the formation of ice crystals on the surface increased with the increase in freeze–thaw cycle number. Hence, internal change in cemented sand under freeze–thaw cycles is the fundamental reason for alterations in shear stress. The results of this study shed light on shear stress complexity at the cemented sand–structure interface under freeze–thaw cycles and provide references for practical engineering.