Frozen Soils Testing

Test Standards for Frozen Soil Testing

  • ASTM D-5520:
Determination of the creep response of frozen soil via uniaxial compression. This response may be used to assess the long term stability of structures constructed within permafrost, as well as assist with the design for shallow and deep foundations.
  • ASTM D-7012:
Determination of the compressive strength and elastic moduli of rock cores, under varying stresses and temperatures, via the triaxial apparatus. The compressive strength may be used within many design formulas, with the elastic moduli enabling the stress or deformation within a rock mass to be calculated.
  • ASTM D-7070:
Determination of the creep response of rock cores, under constant stress and temperature, via the triaxial apparatus. This response may be used to assess the long term stability of structures constructed within rock masses.
  • ASTM D-7300:
Determination of the strength of frozen soil via constant rate of strain compression. This response may be used to assess the medium to long term stability of structures constructed within permafrost, as well as assist with the design for shallow and deep foundations.


Products for Frozen Soil Testing


ETAS – Environmental Triaxial Automated System

The environmental triaxial automated system (ETAS) is based on the standard GDSTAS, with a high pressure triaxial cell and heating/cooling system included. The temperature system is automatically controlled alongside the regular triaxial system components via software, with the full range of triaxial test software modules available for use with the HPETAS. Upgrade options can also be specified, including the addition of bender elements, hardware for unsaturated soil testing, and local strain transducers.


ETTS – Environmental Triaxial Testing System

The high pressure environmental triaxial testing system (ETTS) is based on the standard GDSTTS, with a high pressure Bishop and Wesley style cell and heating/cooling system included. The temperature system is automatically controlled alongside the regular triaxial system components via software, with the full range of triaxial test software modules available for use with the ETTS. Upgrade options can also be specified, including the addition of bender elements, hardware for unsaturated soil testing, and local strain transducers.


GDSVIS – The GDS Virtual Infinite Stiffness loading system

Is the premier load frame in the GDS range with load capacities of 250kN or 400kN. The GDSVIS load frames are designed to be stiffer than classical loading frames. This is to allow more accurate testing of stiffer specimens with less equipment compliance. Furthermore each GDSVIS is internally calibrated to allow automatic self-compensation for any remaining compliance. This type of frame is exclusive to GDS. When combined with a triaxial cell, pressure/volume controllers, data acquisition, and temperature control system, the GDSVIS enables the response of soil and rock under frozen conditions to be observed and quantified. 


DYNTTS – The Advanced Dynamic Triaxial Testing System 

Is a high-end, no compromise testing apparatus combining a triaxial cell with a dynamic actuator capable of applying load, deformation and stresses up to 10Hz. The cell itself is screw-driven from an integral base unit housing the motor drive. Axial force and axial deformation are applied through the base of the cell.  The system can be combined with a dynamic cell pressure actuator such that cell pressures may also be applied dynamically up to fundamental frequency of the machine (i.e. 2Hz, 5Hz or 10Hz). Additionally the DYNTTS may be upgraded to include a temperature control system, enabling the dynamic cyclic response of soil to be observed and quantified when placed under frozen conditions.


Product Applications