Effects of frost on the mechanical behaviour of Champlain Sea clays

Abstract

This paper presents the mechanical behaviour of Champlain Sea clays when subjected to one cycle of freeze-thaw. It appears that most of the characteristics, namely, the undrained shear strength, the thaw consolidation volume change, and the strength after consolidation, are related to the initial liquidity index and can thus be easily predicted. Results also show that frozen–thawed Champlain Sea clays present a dilatant behaviour very similar to that of granular materials. Key words: sensitive clays, frost, laboratory, strength, compressibility.