Detecting water ice in the permanent shadow area of the lunar south pole is an important task of China's Chang'e-7. For this purpose, a simulation study was carried out under the earth environment, and a test sample of polar water-containing simulated lunar soil was prepared. The mechanical properties of the lunar soil simulant were tested under ultra-low temperature conditions, and the changes in water content, relative density, temperature, loading rate, and base material ratio with compressive strength were analyzed. The results show that the compressive strength of the frozen lunar soil simulant increases with the increase of water content, increases with the increase of density, and increases with the decrease of temperature. It is less affected by the change of loading rate. The order of compressive strength affected by different base material ratios is: 100%anorthosite, <90%anorthosite, +10%basalt <70%, +30%anorthosite <100%, basalt, lunar soil simulant. Finally, the correlation between the basic physical properties of lunar soil simulant such as water content, relative density, temperature, loading rate, and ratio and compressive strength is explored through grey correlation analysis. The correlation order is: water content> density> temperature> ratio> loading rate. This paper prepared and tested the mechanical properties of hydrated lunar soil, and proposed a more systematic and standardized implementation plan. It serves as the basis for studying the properties of hydrated lunar soil in the polar region, and provides a theoretical basis and reference for subsequent lunar soil simulation research.
Read full abstract