Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A novel criterion for assessing frost heave susceptibility of soils

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Acta Geotechnica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Frost heave susceptibility is a key index for designing the subgrade fillings of high-speed railways in cold regions. The existing methods for assessing frost heave susceptibility are mainly empirical or semi-empirical, and most of them are defined based on the fine content of soils. This study attempts to propose a new criterion based on the analytical solution of frost heave in the soil. A number of experiments are used to validate the proposed analytical model, which shows that the computed value of frost heave matches well with the measured data. The proposed model indicates that frost heave is a proportional function of the square root of time. Thus, the slope R named frost heave classification index of the proportional function is defined as a new index for frost heave susceptibility classification. A value of R less than 0.21 corresponds to a non-frost heave susceptibility condition, a value greater than 1.18 corresponds to a high frost heave susceptibility condition, and a value in the range of 0.21 and 1.18 means a frost heave susceptibility condition. R is directly related to the boundary temperatures and soil–water and soil-freezing characteristics. The parameter study shows that reducing the values of SWCC fitting parameter α and cold end temperature Tc or increasing the values of permeability of frozen soil kf, the saturated volumetric water content θs, the unfrozen water content at the frost front θu and the residual volumetric water content θr increases the possibility of frost heave. Compared with the existing method, the new index has a clear theoretical basis, and the parameters are easily obtained. It may be a rational method for assessing frost heave susceptibility.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Akagawa S, Hori M, Sugawara J (2017) Frost heaving in ballast railway tracks. Proced Eng 189:547–553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.05.087

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Askar Z, Zhanbolat S (2015) Experimental investigations of freezing soils at ground conditions of Astana, Kazakhstan. Sci Cold Arid Reg 7:399–406. https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1226.2015.00399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. ASTM Standard D5918–13e1 (2013) Standard Test Methods for Frost Heave and Thaw Weakening Susceptibility of Soils. ASTM International, West Conshohocken. https://www.astm.org/Standards/D5918.htm

  4. Azmatch TF, Sego DC, Arenson LU, Biggar KW (2012) Using soil freezing characteristic curve to estimate the hydraulic conductivity function of partially frozen soils. Cold Reg Sci Technol 83–84:103–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2012.07.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bai R (2020) Study on the coupled heat-water-vapor-mechanics model of unsaturated soils. Dissertation, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources. (in Chinese)

  6. Beskow G (1935) Soil freezing and frost heaving with special application to roads and railroads. Swedish Geol Surv Yearbook 26(3):375

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bilodeau JP, Dore G, Pierre P (2008) Gradation influence on frost susceptibility of base granular materials. Int J Pavement Eng 9(6):397–411. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298430802279819

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Cai D (2016) Test on frost heaving spatial-temporal distribution of high speed railway subgrade in seasonal frozen soil region. China Railw Sci 37(3):16–21. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-4632.2016.03.03. (in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Casagrande A (1931) Discussion of frost heaving. Highw Res Board, Proc 11:168–172

    Google Scholar 

  10. Chamberlain E J (1981) Frost Susceptibility of Soil: Review of Index Tests. US Army Corps of Engineers, CRREL, Hanover, New Hampshire.

  11. Chen R, Wu J, Qi S, Wang H (2015) A method for measuring hydraulic parameters of coarse-grained soils for high-speed railway subgrade. Rock Soil Mech 36(12):3365–3372. https://doi.org/10.16285/j.rsm.2015.12.004. (in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Cheng A (2006) Study on classification of frost susceptibility of railway subgrade filling. Dissertation, China Academy of Railway Sciences. (in Chinese)

  13. Cheng X (2016) Frost heave characteristics and model for saturated expansive clay. Dissertation, Harbin Institute of Technology. (in Chinese)

  14. Csathy T I, Townsend D L (1962) Pore size and field frost performance of soils. Highway Research Roard Bulletin, 67–80. http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/hrbbulletin/331/331-005.pdf

  15. Ćwiąkała M, Gajewska B, Kraszewski C, Rafalski L (2016) Laboratory investigations of frost susceptibility of aggregates applied to road base courses. Trans Res Procedia 14:3476–3484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2016.05.312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Dagli D (2017) Laboratory investigations of frost action mechanisms in soils. Dissertation, Luleå University of Technology.

  17. Dai H, Wang X (1992) Frost heave susceptibility of highway bridge foundation in seasonal frost region. Cold Reg Sci Technol 20:141–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-232X(92)90013-K

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Devoie É, Gruber S, McKenzie JM (2022) A repository of 100+ years of measured soil freezing characteristic curves. Earth Syst Sci Data Discuss. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2022-61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Du X. (2015) A study on the frost heave mechanism of micro-frost-heave filling based on the interaction of frost heave of filling materialand coarse particles skeleton. Dissertation, China Academy of Railway Sciences. (in Chinese)

  20. Fukuda M, Kim H S, Kim Y C (1997) Preliminary results of frost heave experiments using standard test sample provided by TC8. In: Ground Freezing 97, Frost Action in Soils: pp 25–30.

  21. Gao J (2018) Study on mechanism and prevention technology of frost heaving of high-speed roadbed in seasonally frozen regions. Dissertation, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources. (in Chinese)

  22. GB 50324 (2014) Code for Engineering Geological Investigation of Frozen Ground. China Planning Press, Beijing. (in Chinese)

  23. GB/T 50123 (2019) Standard for Geotechnical Testing Method. China Planning Press, Beijing. (in Chinese)

  24. He H, Teng J, Zhang S (2022) Rationality of frost susceptibility of soils. Chin J Geotechn Eng 44(2):224–23 ((in Chinese))

    Google Scholar 

  25. Hendry MT, Onwude LU, Sego DC (2016) A laboratory investigationof the frost heave susceptibility of fine-grained soil generated from the abrasion of a diorite aggregate. Cold Reg Sci Technol 123:91–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2015.11.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Hoekstra P, Chamberlain E (1965) Frost heaving pressures. CRREL Internal Report.

  27. Hu M, Cui X, Wang X, Liu H, Du W (2019) Experimental study of the effect of fine particles on permeability of the calcareous sand. Rock Soil Mech 40(8):2925–2930 ((in Chinese))

    Google Scholar 

  28. Hu Z, Guo J, Liang Z, Wang K, Feng Z, Chen Z (2020) Effects of clay content on physical and mechanical properties of fine tailings. Chin J Geotechn Eng 42(S1):16–21 ((in Chinese))

    Google Scholar 

  29. Janoo V C, Eaton R, Barna L (1997) Evaluation of Airport Subsurface Materials. Cold Regions Research and Engineering Special Report.

  30. JGS 0171 (2009) Test Method for Frost Heave Prediction of Soils. Japan Geotechnical Society.

  31. Jiang X, Wu L, Wei Y (2020) Influence of fine content on the soil–water characteristic curve of unsaturated soils. Geotech Geol Eng 38(2):1371–1378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-019-01096-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Jin HW, Lee J, Ryu BH, Akagawa S (2019) Simple frost heave testing method using a temperature-controllable cell. Cold Reg Sci Technol 157:119–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2018.09.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Jin HW, Ryu BH, Kang J-M, Lee J (2021) Engineering approach to determination of the Segregation Potential by the upward-step-freezing testing method. Cold Reg Sci Technol 191:103361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2021.103361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Johnson A E (2012) Freeze-thaw performance of pavement foundation materials. Dissertation, Iowa State University.

  35. Konrad J M (1980) Frost heave mechanics. Dissertation, University of Alberta.

  36. Konrad JM (1999) Frost susceptibility related to soil index properties. Can Geotech J 36(3):403–417. https://doi.org/10.1139/t99-008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Konrad JM (2005) Estimation of the segregation potential of fine-grained soils using the frost heave response of two reference soils. Can Geotech J 42(1):38–50. https://doi.org/10.1139/t04-080

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Konrad JM, Morgenstern NR (1980) A mechanistic theory of ice formation in fine grained soils. Can Geotech J 17(4):473–486. https://doi.org/10.1139/t80-056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Konrad JM, Morgenstern NR (1981) The segregation potential of a freezing soil. Can Geotech J 18(4):482–491. https://doi.org/10.1139/t81-059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Leng J, Fu X, Yang J (2015) Experimental research of the subgrade padding frost heaving of high-speed railway. J Glaciol Geocryol 37(2):440–445 ((in Chinese))

    Google Scholar 

  41. Lin Z, Niu F, Li X, Li A, Liu M, Luo J, Shao Z (2018) Characteristics and controlling factors of frost heave in high-speed railway subgrade, Northwest China. Cold Reg Sci Technol 153:33–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2018.05.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Liu G (2022) Experimental study on freeze-thaw and strength characteristics of Jiangxi red-clay due to artificial ground freezing. Dissertation, East China University of Technology. (in Chinese)

  43. Loranger B, Doré G, Hoff I, Scibilia E (2022) Assessing soil index parameters to determine the frost susceptibility of crushed rock aggregates. Cold Reg Sci Technol 197:103489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2022.103489

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Lu C (2015) Subgrade engineering. China Railway Publishing House, Beijing ((in Chinese))

    Google Scholar 

  45. Lund MSM, Hansen KK, Andersen IB (2016) Frost susceptibility of sub-base gravel used in Pearl-Chain Bridges: an experimental investigation. Int J Pavement Eng 19:986–998. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2016.1230429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Ma H (2015) Experimental study on frost heave of saturated subgrad silty clay in seasonal frozen region. Dissertation, Harbin Institute of Technology. (in Chinese)

  47. Mageau D, Morgenstern NR (1979) Observations on moisture migration in frozen soils. Can Geotech J 17(1):54–60. https://doi.org/10.1139/t80-005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Mitchell JK, Soga K (2005) Fundamentals of soil behavior. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  49. Nemes A, Schaap MG, Leij F, Wösten JHM (2001) Description of the unsaturated soil hydraulic database UNSODA version 2.0. J Hydrol 251:151–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1694(01)00465-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. NF P 98-080-1 (1992) Chaussées-Terrassements:Terminologie-Partie 1: Terminologie relative au calcul de dimensionnement des chaussées. (NF P 98–080–1 (1992) Pavements-Earthworks:Terminology-Part 1: Terminology relating to pavement design calculations. (in French))

  51. Niu F, Li A, Luo J, Lin Z, Yin G, Liu M, Zheng H, Liu H (2017) Soil moisture, ground temperatures, and deformation of a high- speed railway embankment in Northeast China. Cold Reg Sci Technol 133:7–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2016.10.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Niu F, Zheng H, Li A (2020) The study of frost heave mechanism of high-speed railway foundation by field-monitored data and indoor verification experiment. Acta Geotech 15(3):581–593. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-018-0740-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Önalp A (1970) The mechanisms of frost heave in soils with particular reference to chemical stabilisation. Dissertation, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

  54. Peppin S, Majumdar A, Style R, Sander G (2011) Frost heave in colloidal soils. SIAM J Appl Math 71(5):1717–1732. https://doi.org/10.1137/100788197

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  55. Riddle JA (1973) Susceptibility to frost heaving of soils at selected sites along the Liard River Valley, determined by pore pressure measurements. Task force on Northern oil development. Environ Soc Committ Rep 73–3:465–511

    Google Scholar 

  56. Rieke R D (1982) The role of specific surface area and related index properties in the frost susceptibility of soils. Dissertation, Oregon State University.

  57. Roe P G, Webster D C (1984) Specification for the TRRL frost-heave test. Report No SR829, Transport and Road Research Laboratory. Crowthorne, Berkshire, England.

  58. Seehusen J (2011) Flytoget må kjøre i 80. https://www.tu.no/artikler/flytoget-ma-kjore-i-80/238210. Accessed 21 March 2018. ( Seehusen J (2011) Flytoget must run at 80 km/h. https://www.tu.no/artikler/flytoget-ma-kjore-i-80/238210. Accessed 21 March 2018. (in Norwegain))

  59. Shen J, Hu M, Wang X, Zhang C, Xu D (2021) SWCC of calcareous silty sand under different fines contents and dry densities. Front Env Sci-Switz 9:682907. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.682907

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Sheng D, Zhang S, Yu Z, Zhang J (2013) Assessing frost susceptibility of soils using PCHeave. Cold Reg Sci Technol 95:27–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2013.08.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Sheng D, Zhang S, Niu F, Cheng G (2014) A potential new frost heave mechanism in high-speed railway embankments. Géotechnique 64(2):144–154. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.13.P.042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Sheng D (2021) Frost susceptibility of soils-A confusing concept that can misguide geotechnical design in cold regions. Sci Cold Arid Reg 13(2):87–94

    Google Scholar 

  63. SoilVision (2002) SoilVision. Version 3 [computer program]. SoilVision Systems Limited, Saskatoon, Sask.

  64. Teng J, Yasufuku N, Zhang S, He Y (2016) Modelling water content redistribution during evaporation from sandy soil in the presence of water table. Comput Geotech 75:210–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.02.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Teng J, Shan F, He Z, Zhang S, Zhao G, Sheng D (2019) Experimental study of ice accumulation in unsaturated clean sand. Géotechnique 69:251–259. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.17.P.208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Teng J, Liu J, Zhang S, Sheng D (2020) Modelling frost heave in unsaturated coarse-grained soils. Acta Geotech 15(11):3307–3320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-020-00956-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Teng J, Yan H, Liang S, Zhang S, Sheng D (2021) Generalising the Kozeny-Carman equation to frozen soils. J Hydrol 594:125885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.125885

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Teng J, Liu J, Zhang S, Sheng D (2022) Frost heave in coarse-grained soils: experimental evidence and numerical modelling. Géotechnique. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.21.00182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Tian H, Kong L (2010) Experimental research on effect of fine grains on water retention capacity of silty sand. Rock Soil Mech 31(1):56–60 ((in Chinese))

    Google Scholar 

  70. US Army Corps of Engineers (1984) Engineering and design: pavement criteria for seasonal frost conditions, mobilization construction. Engineer Manual No. 1110-3-138. Department of the Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D .C, USA.

  71. Wang Q (2017) Study on the frost heave behavior and strength of coarse-grained fillings from high-speed railway subgrade in cold region. Dissertation, Beijing Jiaotong University. (in Chinese)

  72. Wang T, Ma H, Liu J, Luo Q, Wang Q, Zhan Y (2021) Assessing frost heave susceptibility of gravelly soils based on multivariate adaptive regression splines model. Cold Reg Sci Technol 181:103182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2020.103182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Watanabe K, Wake T (2009) Measurement of unfrozen water content and relative permittivity of frozen unsaturated soil using NMR and TDR. Cold Reg Sci Technol 59:34–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2009.05.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Wissa A, Martin R, Koutsoftas D (1972) Equipment for measuring the water permeability as a function of degree of saturation for frost susceptible soils. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering.

  75. Xue K (2017) Moisture migrating and ice lens segregating process in freezing soil. Dissertation, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources. (in Chinese)

  76. Yanful EK, Mousavi SM, Yang M (2003) Modeling and measurement of evaporation in moisture-retaining soil covers. Adv Environ Res 7(4):783–801. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1093-0191(02)00053-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Ye Y, Wang Z, Cheng A, Luo M (2007) Frost heave classification of railway subgrade filling material and the design of anti-freezing layer. Chin Railw Sci 28(1):1–7 ((in Chinese))

    Google Scholar 

  78. Zhang F, Wilson G W, Fredlund D G (2017) Hydraulic properties for Devon silt considering volume change during drying. Canadian Geotechnical Conference. Ottawa, Canada. October 2017.

  79. Zhang H, Zhang J, Zhang Z, Cai M (2016) Measurement of hydraulic conductivity of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau silty clay under subfreezing temperatures. Chin J Geotechn Eng 38(6):1030–1035 ((in Chinese))

    Google Scholar 

  80. Zhang S, Sheng D, Zhao G, Niu F, He Z (2016) Analysis of frost heave mechanisms in a high-speed railway embankment. Can Geotech J 53(3):520–529. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2014-0456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  81. Zhang S, Teng J, He Z, Liu Y, Liang S, Yao Y, Sheng D (2016) Canopy effect caused by vapour transfer in covered freezing soils. Géotechnique 66(11):927–940. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.16.P.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  82. Zhao S (2019) Study on frost heave characteristics of Harbin-Mudanjiang high-speed line subgrade. Dissertation, Chang’an University. (in Chinese)

  83. Zhou J, Pei W, Zhang X, Liu W, Wei C (2022) An easy method for assessing frost susceptibility of soils: the freezing ring test. Acta Geotech 17:5691–5707. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-022-01659-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51878665 and No. 52178376), Science and Technology Research and Development Program of China Railway Group Limited (Grant No: 2022-ZD-13), Program of Youth Talent Support for Hunan Province (2020RC3008), Postgraduate Innovation Project of Hunan Province, China (No.CX20210126), and Postgraduate Innovation Project of Central South University (No. 2021zzts0215).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Engineering Research Center of High-speed Railway Construction Technology, Central South University, Railway Campus of Central South University, Shaoshan South Road No.68, Changsha, 410075, Hunan Province, China

    Jidong Teng, Haosong He, Xuemao Feng & Sheng Zhang

  2. China Academy of Railway Sciences Corporation Limited, Beijing, 100081, China

    Hongye Yan

Authors
  1. Jidong Teng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Haosong He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xuemao Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hongye Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sheng Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xuemao Feng.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Teng, J., He, H., Feng, X. et al. A novel criterion for assessing frost heave susceptibility of soils. Acta Geotech. 19, 2233–2249 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-023-02028-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-023-02028-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation