Abstract: The study of mechanical properties and deformation rule of Meilinmiao red sandstone have been conducted on freezing triaxial test machine. Four different confining pressures are applied separately on the samples at -15 ℃, and the effect of confining pressure to rock strength and Young’s modulus are analyzed. The results show that both axial compressive strength and Young’s modulus increase linearly as the confining pressure increases, and the red sandstone still meet Coulomb criterion. Through regression analysis, the cohesion of red sandstone is 12.7 MPa, and the internal friction angle is 30.4°. The rock failure form is related to confining pressure.

Key words: frozen rock, freezing triaxial test, axial compressive strength, Young’s modulus, negative temperature