1. ERDC Knowledge Core
2. Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
3. Cold Regions Research Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) - (2/1/1961 - present)
4. CRREL Report

Title:	Evaluation of selected frost-susceptibility test methods
Authors:	United States. Federal Aviation Administration. United States. Federal Highway Administration. Chamberlain, Edwin J.
Keywords:	Frost heave Frost heaving Soils Soil classification Soil tests Soil mechanics
Publisher:	Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.:	CRREL report ; 86-14.
Description:	CRREL Report Abstract: Three methods for determining the frost susceptibility of soils are evaluated in this report. These methods are the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers frost design soil classification system, a moisture-tension/hydraulic-conductivity test, and a laboratory freeze-thaw test. The Corps method, which is based on particle size, soil classification, and a laboratory freezing test, was found to be useful for identifying frost-susceptible soils. However, it cannot be used with confidence for determining the degree of frost susceptibility. The moisture-tension/hydraulic-conductivity test was found to be unacceptable because it required too much time and its results correlated poorly with field observations. The freeze-thaw test was determined to be the most accurate of the methods studied, including the freeze test that is a part of the Corps method. The freeze-thaw test is thoroughly described. It includes indexes of both frost-heave susceptibility (heave rate) and thaw-weakening susceptibility (CBR after thawing). It also accounts for the effects of freeze-thaw cycling and is completely automated to improve the repeatability of the test results. It is suggested that the freeze-thaw test be considered as a replacement for the Corps freezing test.
Rights:	Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/11681/9462
Appears in Collections:	CRREL Report