Speaker
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Shihao Huang PhDAssistant Professor | Tarleton State UniversityDr. Shihao Huang is an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at Tarleton State University. He earned his Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of South Carolina in 2024. Dr. Huang’s research focuses on transportation geotechnics, including experimental geomechanics, particle-scale characterization, and sensing technologies for transportation infrastructure. He currently serves as a technical committee member in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Transportation Research Board (TRB), and the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA).
Local Time
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Date: Sep 17 2026
- Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Cyclic Deformation of Thawing Fine–Coarse Soil Mixtures
Periodic freezing and thawing events often occur in northern Texas regions, during which the mechanical response of engineered soils becomes a significant consideration for infrastructure durability. Fine–coarse soil mixtures are prevalent in subgrade and embankment applications, which are often subjected to repeated vehicular or train loads during the thawing process. This study investigates the cyclic deformation characteristics of such soil mixtures during progressive thawing using large-scale triaxial tests. Specimens incorporating two representative fines contents and a range of initial water contents (IWCs) were examined under four scenarios: dry, wet, frozen–completely thawed (FCT), and frozen–progressive thawing (FPT). Results indicate that coupled cyclic loading and thawing represents the most adverse condition for long-term deformation. During thawing, the deformation rate of specimens often stabilizes or slightly increases, particularly at elevated IWCs and fines contents. For FPT specimens with low-to-moderate IWC, deformation-rate curves exhibit three stages: Stage I—rapid initial rearrangement; Stage II—transitional restructuring; and Stage III—post-thaw steady state. Both the magnitude and duration of Stage II grow with increasing IWC and fines content, while Stage III may not be attained within the test window at high IWCs due to specimen instability. The findings provide new insights into the deformation mechanisms governing thawing fine–coarse soil mixtures under cyclic loading, which are particularly relevant for maintaining resilient infrastructure in Texas and similar climates.
