Experimental Study on the Dynamic Properties of Three Types of Rock at Negative Temperature

To research the geotechnical engineering in the cold region of western China, three types of rock, a sandstone, a marble, a granite, were selected, and tested at low temperatures using a split Hopkinson pressure bar system. The specimens were tested at temperatures ranging from 25 to − 40 °C to characterize the dynamic mechanical properties of the frozen rock. To qualify this characterization, a Temperature Influence Factor is introduced. The results show that low temperatures have the greatest influence on red sandstone. They influence marble to a lesser degree. The influence of low temperatures on granite is small. In addition to these tests, rocks were tested at − 15 °C and at room temperature to analyze strain rate effects. That study found that the rocks show strain rate effects both at low temperature and at room temperature.