Dynamic mechanical experiments and microstructure constitutive model of frozen soil with different particle sizes

To reveal the influences of soil particle size on the dynamic impact mechanical properties of frozen soil, four groups of frozen soil specimens composed of different particle sizes are tested using a split-Hopkinson pressure bar. Based on the Druger–Prager failure criterion and coupled damage-plasticity, a dynamic micro-constitutive model is established for describing the dynamic mechanical behavior of the frozen soil. Macroscopically, frozen soil is assumed to be homogeneous and continuous, although a large number of micro-cracks and micro-voids are distributed randomly throughout the volume. When a frozen soil specimen is subjected to a substantial shock, the propagation of micro-cracks and the collapse of micro-voids can induce damage. The evolution equations of the two damage mechanisms are proposed. Finally, through a comparison, it was shown that simulation results agreed well with the experimental results, thus validating the suitability of the developed model.