Investigation of the ASTM International frost heave testing method using a temperature-controllable cell

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.