Standardization of Laboratory Experimental Techniques with a Cold Room in Korea

The first Korean cold room facility for ice mechanics experiments was assembled in 2004. Since then, the 4 m x 6 m cold room facility has been extensively used under various different environmental and loading conditions. After reviewing published references on cold room testing methods and also by trial and error, the standard procedures for testing and preparing laboratory ice material were established for the measurement of basic ice properties. In this paper, laboratory experimental techniques with the cold room facility and standard procedures established for ice material properties are introduced. Test specimens include laboratorygrown fresh water ice and frozen soils. Tests are carried out for unconfined compressive strength. Preparation and dimension of the specimen are the most important issues arising in cold room tests. The details of specimen preparation, testing procedure and strength test results are also discussed.