• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.53-62
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• 2023

The characteristics of unfrozen water content in frozen soils significantly impact the thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical behavior of the ground. A thorough analysis of the unfrozen water content characteristics of the target subsoil material is crucial for evaluating the stability of frozen ground. This study conducted indoor experiments to measure the freezing point and unfrozen water content of sandy soil while considering pore water salinity. Utilizing the experimental data, we introduced a novel empirical model to conveniently estimate the unfrozen water retention curve. Furthermore, the validity of the unfrozen water retention curve was assessed by comparing the experimental data with the results of a simulation model that utilized the proposed empirical model as input data.