Handbook on the determination of the physical, thermal and mechanical properties of frozen soils

The methods which are recommended in the handbook take into consideration, for the first time, the dependence of the physical, thermal and mechanical properties of frozen soils on their cryogenic structure. Frozen soils strongly manifest anisotropy and the heterogeneous distribution of properties which are usually evaluated as the averaged values of the characteristics. The completeness of the document cannot be overemphasized. A section on basic concepts and nomenclature of frozen soils, in particular the nature of the cryogenic structure, precedes the main chapters. Notes are also provided for the selection, packing, transportation and storage of samples of frozen soil. The main physical properties of frozen soils which are the total moisture content, ice content and specific weight depend on the cryogenic structure of the soil and special attention should be given to indications of these properties. The thermal properties for which test methods of determintion are given are heat capacity, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity, freezing point depression of saline soils and the construction and calibration of thermocouples, electric heaters and thermometers. The mechanical properties for which test methods are given include compressibility of frozen and thawed soils, resistance to normal pressure, long term value of cohesion, uniaxial compression, resistance to shear of both frozen and thawed soils, tangential heaving forces and finally viscosity of ice inclusions.