Effect of fines content on soil freezing characteristic curve of sandy soils

Soil freezing characteristic curve (SFCC) represents the relationship between soil temperature and unfrozen water content of during thawing processes. In this study, SFCC sandy soils was determined in laboratory. Pure sand mixed with clay at various contents (0, 5, 10, 15, 20% total dry mass), mixtures were compacted to their respective maximum density. Compacted specimens then placed a close rigid cell, soil’s decreased step-by-step freeze increased back thaw it. During thermal cycle, volumetric monitored order determine SFCC. The results show that strongly dependent on fines content: higher content, spontaneous nucleation lower, residual higher.