• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.37-45
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• 2017

Structural instability and damage are caused by frost heave during the winter when atmospheric temperature maintains below $0^{\circ}C$. Frost heave is the most representative engineering characteristics of frozen ground and there are various frost susceptibility criteria. Frost susceptibility criteria can be roughly divided into three categories. First, frost susceptibility is determined from particle size distribution, which is practically useful and many countries are adopting. In this paper, several particle size distributions (PSDs) are applied to the frost susceptibility criteria but PSD seems to be not enough to determine whether soils are frost susceptible. Second, it is judged from laboratory frost heave testing results. Laboratory frost heave tests were performed with newly developed thermal controlled triaxial cell and the reliability of frost susceptibility criteria is evaluated. New testing apparatus and method are suitable to meet the existing frost susceptibility criteria. Third, it is compositive frost susceptibility criteria envelope including the particle size distribution, soil classification, and frost heave test. The compositive frost susceptibility criteria envelope should be supplemented based on additional data on various soil types.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.7
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• pp.39-48
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• 2023

Over 100 countries have conducted research on experimental testing methods to assess the frost susceptibility of soils. This study aims to prevent structural damage caused by frost heave. Notably, the United States and Japan, which encompass cold regions such as Alaska and Hokkaido, have actively pursued frost heave research. Through laboratory investigations and field applications, standard testing methods and criteria for evaluating frost susceptibility have been established. However, these methods are complex and their engineering explanations are vague. This study closely compares and analyzes the frost-susceptibility testing methods proposed by ASTM and JGS, considering temperature conditions, specimen size, freezing direction, and drainage conditions. By conducting this comparative analysis, this study aims to shed light on the similarities and differences between the two methods. Furthermore, based on the findings, this study proposes future research guidance for refining frost-susceptibility testing methods and criteria.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2002.03a
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• pp.329-336
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• 2002

The earth structures and in-ground LNG tank, and buildings can be constructed with using artificial freezing method on the reclaimed land. In this study, upon freezing a saturated soil in a closed-system from the top, a considerable pressure was developed. The pressure is the result of the surface energy of a curved ice-water interface. The most significant of these parameters will have the greatest effect on the classification. In order to establish frost-susceptibility criteria based on frost heaving expansion pressure, more soils have to be tested. This study was initiated to investigate the soils frost heaving expansion pressure and moisture characteristics resulting from freezing and freezing-thawing cycle process. Weathered granite soils, sandy soil, sandy soil were used in the laboratory freezing test subjected to thermal gradients under closed- systems.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2019

Frost heave is one of the representative engineering characteristics in cold regions. In South Korea, which is located in seasonal frost area, structural damage caused by frost heave and thaw happens and the need for research on the frost heave is increasing. In this paper, newly developed transparent temperature-controllable cell is used to focus on the frost heave. Frost susceptible artificial soil is used to analyze water intake rate which is one of the important factors in frost susceptibility criteria. Frost heave rate and water intake rate have similar behavior after heave by freezing of pore water converges. O-ring installed in the upper pedestal to measure water intake rate generates side friction between the inner wall of the freezing cell and O-ring, thereby hindering frost heave. Therefore, the frost susceptibility criteria using the water intake rate is not reliable. It is appropriate to use frost heave rate which has similar behavior with water intake rate. Frost heave tests were performed under two different specimen heights. Overburden pressure, temperature gradient and dry unit weight were set under similar state. Based on laboratory testing results, frost heave is independent on the specimen height.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp. 583-597
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• 2022

Frost heave can cause uneven ground uplift that may damage geo-infrastructure. To assist damage-prevention strategies, standard frost heave testing methods and frost susceptibility criteria have been established and used in various countries. ASTM International standard testing method is potentially the most useful standard, as abundant experimental data have been acquired through its use. ASTM International provides detailed recommendations, but the method is expensive and laborious because of the complex testing procedure requiring a freezing chamber. A simple frost heave testing method using a temperature-controllable cell has been proposed to overcome these difficulties, but it has not yet been established whether a temperature-controllable cell can adequately replace the ASTM International recommended apparatus. This paper reviews the applicability of the ASTM International testing method using the temperature-controllable cell. Freezing tests are compared using various soil mixtures with and without delivering blow to depress the freezing point (as recommended by ASTM International), and it is established that delivering blow does not affect heave rate, which is the key parameter in successful characterization of frost susceptibility. As the freezing temperature decreases, the duration of supercooling of pore water shortens or is eliminated; i.e., thermal shock with a sufficiently low freezing temperature can minimize or possibly eliminate supercooling.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.47-56
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• 2021

The cryosuction (negative pore pressure) in freezing soils causes groundwater migration from the frozen fringe to freezing front for ice lens formation. Frost heave and heaving pressure by ice lens cause damage to ground infrastructure. In order to prevent damage by the frost heave, various frost susceptibility criteria have been proposed. The SP (Segregation Potential) is the most widely used classification criterion for frost susceptibility in cold regions. The expansion of the ice lens by the migration of the groundwater is a key role in frost heave mechanism, and thus it is necessary to evaluate the hydraulic conductivity. In this paper, soil mixtures of coarse-fines (sand-silt) were prepared in various weight fractions and used for frost heave and column permeability test. For each case, the SP and the hydraulic conductivity were derived and correlations were analyzed. As a results, the transition threshold of the SP and the hydraulic conductivity were shown at 20% and 50% of the silt weight fraction, respectively. Although there are difference between these transition thresholds, these two coefficients show a specific correlation. In the future, additional study should be conducted for detailed analysis of the threshold transition values between SP and hydraulic conductivity.