An experimental study of the heat generated during cyclic compressive loading of frozen soils

Based on the results from a series of testing with temperature monitored, using embedded thermistor temperature sensor in frozen specimen during cyclic compressive loading, it is known that, when the environmental temperature surrounding the specimen keeps constant, the temperature in the frozen specimen increases with the time of load lasted, and the temperature rise keeps getting bigger with increasing stress amplitude, load frequency and coarse particle content included in the specimen; whereas it is basically unchanged when the water content is beyond the saturated value at − 0.5 °C. Additionally, the results also show that in a given time range, along the radial direction of the specimen the temperature distribution is basically uniform, and along the axial one there is slight difference, not beyond 0.05 °C; when the time is beyond the given one, the temperature rise, on the same cross-section of the specimen, is much obvious for the central point than for any other point.

Research highlights
► Temperature monitoring in frozen specimen was conducted during cyclic loading.
► Temperature in frozen specimen increases with the time of load lasted.
► Temperature rise in frozen specimen is affected by many factors.
► Temperature rise in ice-rich specimen is quite weak during cyclic compressive load.