In this study, the tensile strengths of silty clays from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with different initial water contents (3.5–21.0%) at various temperatures (−12.0–0.0 °C) are investigated using an indirect method (Brazilian test). Experimental results show that the tensile strength of silty clay is first increase and then decreased with the increasing initial water content at the temperature of 0 °C, while that monotonically increases with the increasing initial water content at the temperature below 0 °C. The tensile strength of silty clay slightly increases with the decreasing temperature for a given initial water content below 10.9%, otherwise it largely increases with the decreasing temperature. The relationship of the tensile strength of silty clay with the initial water content and temperature is established. This paper also presents a qualitative analysis of mechanisms by which the tensile strength of silty clay varies with the temperature and initial water content. The findings of this study are expected to provide a better approach toward understanding the mechanism of tensile crack-related failures in cold regions, thereby being help for the prevention of tension-related problems.

在这项研究中，使用间接方法（巴西试验）研究了不同初始含水量（3.5-21.0%）的青藏高原粉质粘土在不同温度（-12.0-0.0°C）下的拉伸强度。实验结果表明，粉质粘土的抗拉强度在0℃时随初始含水量的增加先增加后降低，而在0℃以下随初始含水量的增加单调增加。对于给定的初始含水量低于 10.9%，粉质粘土的拉伸强度随温度的降低而略有增加，否则随温度的降低而大幅增加。建立了粉质粘土的抗拉强度与初始含水量和温度的关系。本文还对粉质粘土抗拉强度随温度和初始含水量变化的机理进行了定性分析。本研究的结果有望为理解寒冷地区与拉伸裂纹相关的失效机制提供更好的方法，从而有助于预防与拉伸相关的问题。