Frost Action in Soil

Frost action in a soil is influenced by the initial temperature of the soil, as well as the air temperature the intensity and duration of the freeze period the depth of frost penetration the depth of the water table and the type of ground cover. If frost penetrates down to the capillary fringe in fine soils, especially silts, then, under certain conditions, lenses of ice may be developed. The formation of such ice lenses may, in turn, cause frost heave and frost boil that may lead to the break-up of roads, the failure of slopes, etc. Shrinkage, which is attributable to thermal contraction and desiccation, gives rise to polygonal cracking in the ground. Water that accumulates in the cracks is frozen and consequently helps increase their size. This action may lead to the development of lenses of ice. 

Ice may occur in frozen soil as small disseminated crystals whose total mass exceeds that of the mineral grains. It also may occur as large tabular masses that range up to several metres 

The amount of segregated ice in a frozen mass of soil depends largely on the intensity and rate of freezing, When freezing takes place quickly, no layers of ice are visible, whereas slow 

Description of soil phase (independent of frozen state) 

Classify soil phase by the Unified Soil Classification system 

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Dunn, J. R. and Hudec, P. P. (1972). Frost and sorbtion effects in argillaceous rocks. In "Frost action in Soils." Highway Research Board, Natl. Acad. Sci.-Natl. Acad. Eng. 393, 65-78. 

Pusch, R. 1977. Ice formation in clays with special reference to their microstruc-tural constitution. Proc. International Symposium Frost Action in Soils. Lulea, Sweden. Vol.1,137-142. 

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