Strain rate effect on the compressive strength of frozen sand

Cylindrical specimens of fine Ottawa sand (A.S.T.M. designation C-109), compacted at the optimum moisture content and saturated before unidirectional freezing, have been tested in uniaxial compression at a cold room temperature of —5.5°C and strain rates between 10^?7 and 10^?2 s^?1. The results agree with an extrapolation of data obtained by Sayles and Epanchin 1], but are much higher than those obtained by both Goughnour and Andersland 2] and Perkins and Ruedrich 3] at strain rates below 10^?5 s^?1. There is evidence that this may be due to variation in total moisture (ice) content, the conditions under which the specimens were frozen (closed system or an open system) and to the end effects at the platen—specimen interface.