Relationships between mechanical properties and borehole heat exchangers thermal forcing in clayey subsoils

This research studies the effects on mechanical behaviours of clayey sediments induced by freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) and in particular the influence of salt concentration in the pore solution. Natural clay of the Venetian subsoil is tested at different NaCl concnentrations. FTC induces irreversible settlements in clay. Salt concentration has different effects: increases the settlements but depresses the freezing point preventing the soil from freezing