Nonlinear unified strength criterion for frozen soil based on homogenization theory

Abstract

To establish a strength criterion that can consider the composite properties and internal non-homogeneity of frozen soil, a load sharing model is first defined based on homogenization theory and the binary-medium structure model, and then the strength functions of frozen soil on the p-q plane and the π plane are established, respectively. Finally, a three-dimensional nonlinear unified strength criterion for frozen soil is proposed. The applicability of the proposed strength criterion is verified based on the multi-group triaxial compression test results and the directional shear test results at different stress Lode angles.

Keywords:

• Frozen soil
• composites
• homogenization theory
• binary-medium structure model
• strength criterion

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (STEP) under grant [number 2019QZKK0905], China; and the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences under grant [number XDA19070504]. This research was financially supported by the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Modern Civil Engineering Technology (2021B1212040003).