Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/11788
Title: Determination of frost penetration by soil resistivity measurements
Authors: Atkins, Ronald T.
Keywords: Cold regions
Detectors
Electrical resistivity
Freezing
Frost
Frost penetration
Measurement
Soils
Instruments
Equipment
Frozen ground physics
Publisher: Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.)
Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.: Special report (Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.)) ; 79-22.
Description: Special Report
Abstract: Because of freezing point depression and isothermal springtime conditions, frost penetration measurements using temperature-sensing devices can become unreliable. In recognition of this problem two sensors that depend on changes in soil resistivity were tested. Tests were conducted under a parking area with an asphalt-concrete surface where salt was periodically applied as part of snow removal operations. For comparison, data were obtained from a resistivity probe, a thermocouple probe and a thermistor probe. Results indicated that measuring temperature to determine frost penetration can lead to large errors under some conditions, for instance when salt has been applied or when frost is coming out of the ground in spring. The resistivity probe performed reliably during the entire measurement program. It was concluded that resistivity probes have definite advantages which should be considered when future frost penetration measurement programs are designed.
Rights: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11681/11788
Appears in Collections:Special Report

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