A test apparatus used to simulate the dual effects of freeze-thaw and dynamic load on subgrade in cold regions

The highway and railway subgrade built in permafrost and seasonally frozen regions will not only be damaged by freezing and thawing, but also affected by dynamic load. However, there are little apparatus that have both freeze-thaw and dynamic loading functions. In order to study the stability of subgrade under dual effects, the apparatus that can apply freeze-thaw and dynamic load on subgrade has been developed. The verification test was carried out to verify the functional reliability of the apparatus. The test proved that the apparatus can simulate the dual effects of freeze-thaw and dynamic load, and on this basis, it can realize the monitoring functions of temperature, water, pore water pressure and deformation. Further, the apparatus runs stably and reliably, with accurate results and simple operation. It is considered to be a promising tool for studying the stability of subgrade in permafrost and seasonally frozen regions under the dual effects of freeze-thaw and dynamic load. • A test apparatus used to simulate the subgrade in cold regions. • The freeze-thaw and dynamic load were applied to the subgrade. • The failure law of subgrade under freeze-thaw and dynamic load was studied. • Study the impact of different vehicle (train, automobile) loads on the subgrade.