Influence of Freeze-Thaw Action on Deformation-Strength Characteristics and Particle Crushability of Volcanic Coarse-Grained Soils

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of freeze-thaw action on the deformation-strength characteristics of crushable volcanic coarse-grained soils, wherein significant particle breakage occurs even under relatively low stress levels and saturated conditions. A series of monotonic triaxial compression tests was performed for volcanic coarse-grained soils under various freeze-thaw histories. On the basis of the test results, we examined the above-mentioned effect and the relationship between the degree of particle breakage and the freeze-thaw history. The results indicate that the degree of particle breakage under consolidation and shear increased with freeze-thaw action; and consequently, the strength and the stiffness of the soils decreased with an increase in the number of freeze-thaw cycles. Moreover, to examine the influence of freeze-thaw action on the single-particle hardness of volcanic coarse-grained soils, single-particle crushing tests were conducted. The test results revealed that volcanic soil particles become more fragile after being exposed to freeze-thaw action, and as a result, the degree of particle breakage increases. These results indicate that the freeze-thaw action has a strong influence on the deformation-strength characteristics of crushable volcanic soils in terms of an increase in particle breakage, even if the soils lack frost-heave characteristics.