Factors important to the development of frost heave susceptibility criteria for coarse-grained soils : Vinson, T S; Ahmad, F; Rieke, R Trans Res RecN1089, 1986, P124–131

Abstract

Laboratory frost heave tests were performed to identify factors important to the development of susceptibility criteria for coarse-grained soils. The frost heave test results were evaluaed by using the concept of the segregation potential. The results from 44 tests on mixures of coarse-grained soils and a fines fraction consisting of silt and different types of clay were considered in the study. Correlations were established between heave rate and segregation potential and (a) percentage of particles finer than 0.074 mm, (b) percentage of particles finer than 0.02 mm, and (c) fines factor (an index property of the fines fraction that indirectly accounts for specific surface area and mineralogy of the fines fraction). The correlations are not strong for the 0.074-mm particles (R2 = 0.47), good for the 0.002-mm particles (R2 = 0.72), and very strong for the fines fact or (R2 = 0.92). On the basis of the results of the study, it appears that factors in addition to particle size must be considered in the development of frost heave susceptibility criteria for coarse-grained soils.