Freeze-thaw Research Articles

Optimization Design of Cotton-Straw-Fiber-Modified Asphalt Mixture Performance Based on Response Surface Methodology

This research explored the application of cotton straw fiber in asphalt mixtures, aiming to optimize the asphalt mixtures’ performance. Firstly, 17 experiments were designed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Subsequently, the Box–Behnken Design (BBD) was used to examine how the asphalt content, fiber length, and cotton straw fiber content interacted to affect the modified asphalt mixes’ pavement performance. Based on the experimental findings, performance prediction models were created to direct optimization. The optimized design was then validated through pavement performance tests and bending fatigue tests. The findings revealed that cotton straw fiber content, length, and asphalt content significantly influence the performance of modified asphalt mixtures. The inclusion of cotton straw fibers enhanced various properties of the mixtures. When the fiber content was set at 0.3%, fiber length at 6 mm, and asphalt content at 5.3%, the response indicators, including Marshall stability, dynamic stability, flexural strength, and freeze–thaw strength ratio, were measured at 12.246 kN, 2452.396 times/mm, 12.30 MPa, and 92.76%, respectively. These results indicate that the cotton-straw-fiber-modified asphalt mixture achieved optimal performance while meeting regulatory requirements. Additionally, fatigue tests showed that the cotton-straw-fiber-modified asphalt mixture exhibited superior fatigue resistance compared with the SBS-modified asphalt mixture. The maximum error between the RSM predictions and the experimental measurements was within 10%, demonstrating the accuracy of the predictive models in estimating the impact of different factors on asphalt mixture performance. The application of RSM in designing and optimizing cotton-straw-fiber-modified asphalt mixtures proved to be highly effective, offering valuable insights for utilizing cotton straw fibers in road construction.

Residual textile reinforced mortar‐to‐concrete bond after exposure to harsh environments

AbstractTextile reinforced mortars (TRM) are materials whose mechanical behavior has been extensively investigated during the last few years. However, studies on the behavior of these materials after exposure to various aggressive environments are still limited and, hence, their performance during their entire service life remains to be determined. The present study contributes to the knowledge pool regarding the behavior of concrete specimens furnished with TRM overlays post their exposure to various harsh environments, specifically through the analysis of shear bond tests. More specifically, 120 concrete substrates were reinforced with one and two layers of carbon textile which were embedded into a high and a low strength cementitious mortar and exposed to various harsh environments (carbonation, chlorides, carbonation and chlorides, different number of freeze–thaw cycles). It was concluded that: (i) a reduction of more than 25% is possible regarding failure stress; (ii) the number of textile layers plays an important role in TRM‐concrete bond behavior; and (iii) the influence of mortar strength is limited.

Effects of Freeze–Thaw and Dry–Wet Cycles on the Collapsibility of the Ili Loess with Variable Initial Moisture Contents

Exposed to seasonal climate changes, the loess in the Ili region of Xinjiang, which has variable engineering properties, frequently undergoes freezing–thawing (F-T) and wetting–drying (W-D) cycles. In the present research, a series of uniaxial compression tests were conducted to investigate the collapsibility characteristics of the representative loess slope in the Ili region. In parallel, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests were conducted. The test results obtained from the research indicated that both F-T cycles and W-D cycles exacerbate the deterioration of the loess, with the most severe effects observed after 6–10 cycles. Under the combined physical cycles, the microstructure of the loess progressively evolves from the relatively aggregated state to the dispersed one. Meanwhile, the porosity of the loess exhibited an initial increase with the number of W-D cycles, followed by an obvious decrease. Note that the pattern of the loess experiences fluctuation, which was achieved at the given point with the increased number of F-T cycles. It is suggested that the variability in loess wetting collapse is attributed to the irreversible alteration in the microstructure attributed to the combined cycles. The main reasons for the occurrence of loess collapse are the frost heaving force and the swelling–shrinking action. The impacts of W-D and F-T cycles on the loess obtained from this research can make a contribution to the in-depth understanding about loess collapse in the Ili valley.

Advanced plasma hydrogel evaporator for efficient solar-driven saline-alkaline water treatment and agricultural application

Saline-alkaline land significantly impedes social development and urgently requires effective solutions. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation provides a promising green alternative to address this challenge. In this work, a high-efficiency plasma hydrogel evaporator (PHE) was crosslinked by liquid phase pulsed discharge plasma (LPDP) technology within 10 min, followed by a simple freeze–thaw process. The PHE demonstrates remarkable performance in treating saline-alkaline water. Under one solar irradiation, the PHE achieved an evaporation rate of 2.68 kg·m−2·h−1 in saline-alkaline water with high salinity stress (150 mmol·L−1, Na+ concentration). The collected purified water (PW) showed a reduction in total dissolved solids by three orders of magnitude and a significant elimination of alkalinity. To further evaluate the feasibility of utilizing saline-alkaline water resources with the PHE technology, PW was used for maize cultivation, demonstrating a favorable growth trend. Additionally, PHE effectively addressed the limitations of complex fabrication processes and high evaporation enthalpy associated with traditional evaporators. The work offers a cost-effective and promising approach for freshwater shortages, soil salinization, and saline-alkaline water treatment in challenging environments, contributing to sustainable agricultural development.

Effect of shrinkage-induced initial damage on the frost resistance of concrete in cold regions

The shrinkage-induced initial damage poses a threat to the frost resistance of concrete in cold regions with low relative humidity (RH). However, the progression of freeze–thaw damage in concrete affected by this initial damage, along with the quantitative relationships among RH, freeze–thaw damage, and the number of freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs), remains unexplored. This study employed combination of experimental and numerical simulation approaches to address these challenges. Experimentally, the freeze–thaw damage of concrete cured at low RH (40 ± 5 %) was compared with that cured at standard RH (95 ± 5 %) after varying FTCs. Results indicated that the former experienced more severe freeze–thaw damage, characterized by increased surface peeling, higher mass loss rate, and greater compressive strength attenuation. For the simulation aspect, a numerical model incorporating cohesive elements was firstly proposed to study the evolution of freeze–thaw damage in concrete cured at different RH under FTCs, of which the rationality was confirmed through experimental data. Additionally, the effect of FTCs and curing RH on freeze–thaw damage was investigated, revealing a negative correlation between freeze–thaw damage and curing RH, resulting in opposite evolution trend for residual mechanical properties of concrete. Finally, the freeze–thaw damage prediction model was proposed based on simulation results, and the error between the predicted and actual values was only 2.1 %, which confirmed that this model can be adopted to accurately assess the freeze–thaw damage degree of concrete cured by different RH after different FTCs. In conclusion, this study aims to better understand the freeze–thaw damage evolution of concrete cured under low RH, which provides a feasible scheme for the frost resistant design of concrete construction in cold regions.

The Longitudinal Push-Out Effect and Differential Settlement Control Measures of the Transition Section of Road and Bridge Induced by Freeze–Thaw Inducing

The environmental influence of seasonal freezing and thawing forces the longitudinal shear effect of the bridge abutment, and the differential settlement between the subgrade and the bridge abutment will significantly affect traffic safety. In this work, based on the finite element simulation analysis method, the longitudinal push-out effect and differential settlement of the transition section caused by cycles are systematically investigated, and the treatment results under different control measures (buffer layer thickness) are compared and analyzed. The results show that changing the thickness of the buffer material in the transition section has no significant influence on the overall temperature field of the subsurface. The longitudinal displacement of the transition region will be obvious under the condition of seasonal cycle, and its longitudinal thrust effect on the abutment shows a typical periodic law with the seasonal change. As the depth of the lower soil layer from the surface increases, the pushing effect becomes weaker and weaker. The development of the different subsoil settlements in the transition section also showed periodic changes with the passage of seasons. The differential settlement of the transition section after the buffer layer treatment can be effectively controlled, and the maximum value of the surface settlement of the roadbed after the 5 cm thick buffer material is reduced by 35%, compared with the two deformations of frostshocked bridges, where differential settlement after the buffer material treatment creates only tip deformation. After using a 15 cm thick buffer layer material treatment, the maximum settlement value of the surface settlement of the road base is reduced from 0.2 m to 0.01 m, which will not affect safety and driving comfort. The research conclusions can provide a reference for the design of road and bridge transition sections in frozen areas.

Research on the Geosynthetic-Encased Gravel Pile Composite Highway Foundation in Low-Temperature Stable Permafrost Regions

In low-temperature stable permafrost regions, both active and passive cooling measures are commonly employed to ensure the long-term stability of highway structures. However, despite adopting these measures, various types of structural issues caused by permafrost degradation remain prevalent in high-grade highways. This indicates that in addition to preventing permafrost melting, structural reinforcement of the foundation is still necessary. Based on the analysis of the long-term foundation temperature field and settlement using the finite element method, which was validated through an indoor top-down freeze–thaw cycle test, this paper explores, for the first time, the feasibility of applying geosynthetic-encased gravel pile composite highway foundations—previously commonly used for permafrost destruction—in low-temperature stable permafrost areas where permafrost protection is the primary principle. By analyzing the long-term temperature field, settlement behavior, and pile–soil stress ratios of permafrost foundations influenced by both the highway structure and composite foundation, it was found that when the pile diameter is 0.5 m, pile spacing is 2 m, and pile length is 11 m, the mean monthly ground temperature of the permafrost foundation will not be significantly affected. Therefore, the properly designed geosynthetic-encased gravel pile composite highway foundation can be adopted in low-temperature stable permafrost regions where permafrost protection, rather than destruction, is required.

Water–Rock Interaction and Freeze–Thaw Cycles as Drivers of Acid Rock Drainage Generation by a Rock Glacier in the European Alps

Water–Rock Interaction and Freeze–Thaw Cycles as Drivers of Acid Rock Drainage Generation by a Rock Glacier in the European Alps

Comparative Analysis of Sewage Sludge Characteristics After Natural Deposition, Accelerated Aging, and Composting

This study investigated treatment methods for urban wastewater sludge, specifically examining natural drying over five years, accelerated freeze–thaw–drying cycles, and composting with and without a zeolite additive. The findings reveal that composting effectively stabilized the sludge while retaining essential nutrients crucial for agriculture. Notably, with the addition of 2% zeolite by total mass, approximately 40% of the total nitrogen was preserved. Adequate aeration during composting maintained acceptable levels of phosphorus compounds, with the phosphorus content expressed as P2O5 showing significant retention compared with the natural drying methods. Composting also demonstrated a substantial reduction in petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations, which decreased from 30 mg/kg to 3 mg/kg, thereby showcasing its potential for processing contaminated sludge. The inclusion of zeolite enhanced the nitrogen retention by an additional 10–20% compared with the composting without zeolite, aligning with previous studies on its effectiveness. While composting and thermal treatments, like accelerated freeze–thaw cycles, influenced the physical properties of the sludge—such as reducing the moisture content and altering the volatile substance concentrations—they did not significantly affect the heavy metal levels. Natural drying over five years resulted in reduced metal quantities, which possibly reflected changes in the wastewater characteristics over time. Given that the heavy metal concentrations remained largely unchanged, additional treatment methods are recommended when the initial sludge contains high levels of these contaminants to ensure the safe use of the final product as fertilizer. This study underscored the significant role of biochemical and microbiological processes during composting and natural drying in transforming sludge properties. Future research should focus on establishing upper contamination thresholds and exploring microbiological safety measures to enhance the viability of sludge reuse in agriculture, balancing nutrient preservation with environmental safety.

Effect of nano‐SiO2 dispersion on the mechanical properties and frost resistance of modified cement paste

AbstractThe dispersion of nano‐SiO2 (NS) in cement plays a critical role in enhancing the properties of cementitious materials. In this study, the combination of ultrasonic dispersion and polycarboxylic acid water reducing agent (PCE) was used to significantly improve the dispersion of NS. The effects of ultrasonic dispersion time, NS content, and PCE content on dispersion quality were investigated, alongside their impact on mechanical properties, electrical resistivity, and frost resistance. The results demonstrated that this synergistic method optimized the dispersion of NS, leading to superior mechanical properties and frost resistance. With an ultrasonic dispersion time of 40 min, NS content of 1.0 wt.%, and PCE content of 0.75 wt.%, the cement paste achieved its optimal performance. Compared to non‐dispersed samples, compressive strength increased by 33.7%. After 75 freeze–thaw cycles, the mass loss was 2%, the relative dynamic elastic modulus was 99.15%, and the strength loss was 13.74%.

Research on mechanical properties and pore structure evolution process of steam cured high strength concrete under freeze thaw cycles

With the widespread use of high-strength concrete structures (HC), the impact of pore structure on their performance has become a current research focus. The mechanism by which different curing conditions and freeze-thaw cycles influence the evolution of pore structure remains unclear. Therefore, this study systematically investigated the frost resistance of high-strength concrete under different curing conditions, measured the mass loss rate, compressive strength, and relative dynamic elastic modulus of concrete under freeze-thaw cycles. Utilizing low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology, this study analyzed the evolution of pore structure in HC under freeze-thaw cycles. Additionally, the fractal dimension was used to evaluate the change of concrete internal pore structure, so as to reflect the influence of pore structure on the mechanical properties of concrete subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, and then evaluated the freeze-thaw damage of HC. The experimental results indicated that the steam curing regimes led to an increase in the porosity of HC, thereby influencing its frost resistance. Steam-cured high-strength concrete (SMHC) exhibited a higher degradation rate under freeze-thaw cycles, resulting in a greater level of deterioration compared to standard curing high-strength concrete (SDHC), even under the same number of freeze-thaw cycles.

Prediction of freeze–thaw and thermal shock weathering on natural stones through deep learning-based algorithms

Prediction of freeze–thaw and thermal shock weathering on natural stones through deep learning-based algorithms

The Effect of the Construction of a Tillage Layer on the Infiltration of Snowmelt Water into Freeze–Thaw Soil in Cold Regions

The snow melting and runoff process in the black soil area of Northeast China has led to soil quality degradation in farmland, posing a threat to sustainable agricultural development. To investigate the regulatory effect of tillage layer construction on the infiltration characteristics of snowmelt water, a typical black soil in Northeast China was selected as the research object. Based on field experiments, four protective tillage treatments (CK: control treatment; SB: sub-soiling treatment; BC: biochar regulation treatment; SB + BC: sub-soiling tillage and biochar composite treatment) were set up, and the evolution of soil physical structure, soil thawing rate, snow melting infiltration characteristics, and the feedback effect of frozen layer evolution on snowmelt infiltration were analyzed. The research results indicate that sub-soiling and the application of biochar effectively regulate soil aggregate particle size and increase soil total porosity. Among them, at the 0–10 cm soil layer, the soil mean weight diameter (MWD) values under SB, BC, and SB + BC treatment conditions increased by 6.25%, 16.67%, and 19.35%, respectively, compared to the CK treatment. Sub-soiling increases the frequency of energy exchange between the soil and the environment, while biochar enhances soil heat storage performance and accelerates the melting rate of frozen soil layers. Therefore, under the SB + BC treatment conditions, the maximum soil freezing rate increased by 21.92%, 5.67%, and 25.12% compared to the CK, SB, and BC treatments, respectively. In addition, sub-soiling and biochar treatment effectively improved the penetration performance of snowmelt water into frozen soil layers, significantly enhancing the soil’s ability to store snowmelt water. Overall, it can be concluded that biochar regulation has a good improvement effect on the infiltration capacity of surface soil snowmelt water. Sub-soiling can enhance the overall snowmelt water holding capacity, and the synergistic effect of biochar and deep tillage is the best. These research results have important guiding significance for the rational construction of a protective tillage system model and the improvement of the utilization efficiency of snowmelt water resources in black soil areas.

Optimizing CLM4.5 simulations of the active layer: The role of gravel in Tibetan Plateau permafrost

Gravel is widely distributed in soils of the Tibetan Plateau (TP), where permafrost also occurs over approximately half of the total area. Gravel has different thermal and hydrological properties to those of fine-grained soils, which may have a considerable impact on hydrothermal transport within TP soils. However, few land models consider gravel. Here, we incorporated the thermal and hydraulic properties of gravel into the Community Land Model and explored the effect of differing gravel contents on land surface processes. We found that all parameters affecting soil hydrothermal transport were sensitive to gravel content. Soil thermal and hydraulic conductivities increased with increasing gravel content, ultimately leading to variations in soil temperature, soil water content, and radiation fluxes with changing gravel content. Soil containing gravel exhibited higher infiltration and greater total water storage capacities. We also compared different model schemes in an attempt to improve the simulation of active layers in permafrost regions with high gravel content on the TP. The scheme in which both gravel and freeze–thaw parameterizations were applied (i.e., SP3) improved both the latent heat flux and ground heat flux transfer. The SP3 scheme performed best in terms of soil temperature and soil moisture simulations at both the Nagqu and Madoi field stations, demonstrating a particular ability to better characterize soil moisture processes as a function of temperature during soil freezing and thawing.

Mechanical, Durability, and Microstructure Characterization of Pervious Concrete Incorporating Polypropylene Fibers and Fly Ash/Silica Fume

Pervious concrete, because of its high porosity, is a suitable material for reducing the effects of water precipitations and is primarily utilized in road pavements. In this study, the effects of binder-to-aggregate (B/A) ratios, as well as mineral admixtures with and without polypropylene fibers (PPFs) (0.2% by volume), including fly ash (FA) or silica fume (SF) (10% by substitution of cement), on the mechanical properties and durability of pervious concrete were experimentally observed. The experimental campaign included the following tests: permeability, porosity, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength tests. The durability performance was evaluated by observing freeze–thaw cycles and abrasion resistance after 28 d curing. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were employed to investigate the phase composition and microstructure. The results revealed that, for an assigned B/A ratio identified as optimal, the incorporation of mineral admixtures and fibers mutually compensated for their respective negative effects, resulting in the effective enhancement of both mechanical/microstructural characteristics and durability properties. In general, pervious concrete developed with fly ash or silica fume achieved higher compressive strength (>35 MPA) and permeability of 4 mm/s, whereas the binary combination of fly ash or silica fume with 0.2% PPFs yielded a flexural strength greater than 6 MPA and a permeability of 6 mm/s. Silica fume-based pervious concrete exhibited excellent performance in terms of freeze–thaw (F-T) cycling and abrasion resistance, followed by fiber-reinforced pervious concrete, except fly ash-based pervious concrete. Microstructural analysis showed that the inclusion of fly ash or silica fume reduced the harmful capillary pores and refined the pore enlargement caused by PPFs in the cement interface matrix through micro-filling and a pozzolanic reaction, leading to improved mechanical and durability characteristics of pervious concrete.

Isolation of ice structuring proteins from winter wheat in frigid region (Dongnongdongmai1) and the effect on freeze–thaw stability of dough

In this study, ice structuring proteins (WISPs) extracted from winter wheat in a frigid region were prepared and added to frozen-thawed dough. The WISPs were characterized, revealing that they contained a higher proportion of hydrophilic amino acids and had a molecular weight of approximately 15 kDa. The highest thermal hysteresis activity (THA) observed was 0.62 °C. The secondary structure of WISPs was determined to be as follows: β-sheet: 49.33 %, random coil: 13.87 %, α-helix: 16.35 %, β-turn: 20.45 %. The study investigated the effects of different additions of WISPs on the water mobility, glass transition temperature, microstructure, rheological properties, and texture analysis of frozen-thawed dough. The results demonstrated that the inclusion of WISPs reduced the fluidity of water and water migration in the dough during the frozen-thawed cycle. This protective effect preserved the internal structure and gluten network of the dough, leading to increased viscosity, elasticity, and improved texture properties of the frozen-thawed dough. Furthermore, the addition of WISPs at concentrations ranging from 0 % to 0.7 % resulted in a 1.8 °C increase in the glass transition temperature (Tg). Overall, these findings suggest that WISPs can serve as a beneficial additive for enhancing the freeze–thaw stability of dough.

Synthesis and evaluation of self‐healing polyvinyl alcohol‐tannic acid membranes for skin bio‐applications

AbstractAutonomic self‐healing films have shown limited mechanical strength, hindering their application as biomaterials, particularly in skin bioengineering. To address this challenge, we developed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐tannic acid (TA)‐based membranes with improved self‐healing properties and strong mechanical performance. Using a blade coating method and freeze–thaw cycles (−10°C for 1 h, followed by room temperature thawing), the synthesized membranes demonstrated a tensile strength of 8.8 MPa before healing and 7.6 MPa after healing, achieving an 88% healing efficiency. Membrane thickness showed a slight reduction from 465 to 432 μm posthealing. After 3000 bending cycles at a 1 cm radius, the membranes maintained flexibility with no significant changes in water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) (7.66 g/m2·day) or oxygen transmission rate (OTR) (0.13 cm3/m2·day·bar). These results underscore the membranes' suitability for dynamic skin environments, combining robust mechanical properties with excellent self‐healing capabilities. The PVA‐TA membranes present a promising solution for advanced skin bioengineering applications.

Effects of freeze–thaw on the detachment capacity of soils with different textures on the Loess Plateau, China

Soil detachment capacity (Dc) is a crucial indicator for quantifying erosion intensity. However, the combined actions of freeze–thaw and water flow complicate the erosion process, leaving the variation mechanism of Dc under this condition systematically unexplored. This study examined five loess soils from a seasonal freeze–thaw area. The mechanism driving changes in Dc was quantified through freeze–thaw simulation combined with flow scouring tests, and a Dc prediction model was established. The results revealed that the shear strength (τm), cohesion (Coh), and internal friction angle (φ) in silt loam were higher than in sandy loam. After freeze–thaw cycles (FTC), τm, Coh, and φ of the five loess soils decreased by 1.02–1.37, 1.07–9.15, and 0.92–1.05 times, respectively. As FTC increased, τm and Coh gradually stabilized, while φ showed minimal fluctuation, indicating that FTC had a cumulative effect on the deterioration of soil mechanical properties. During FTC, Dc in Wuzhong sandy loam was the largest, being 1.14–3.24 times greater than in other soils, suggesting a significant main effect of soil type on Dc variation, with a contribution rate of 19.27 %. Dc eventually stabilized with increasing, indicating a critical FTC of around 10 for its impact on Dc. Compared to unfrozen soils, Dc increased by 33.69 %–102.40 % under the combined effects of freeze–thaw and water flow, clarifying that FTC aggravated soil instability. Effective stream power was the optimum hydraulic parameter, contributing the most to Dc (45.94 %). FTC (6.41 %) and initial soil moisture content (8.59 %) were less influential, as FTC initially degraded soil properties, and then the combined action with water flow intensified soil damage, causing the role of freeze–thaw factors to be obscured by other variables. A Dc prediction model using a general flow intensity index estimated well Dc, with both R2 and NSE at 0.94. Model performance comparison emphasized the need for validation when extending the application range beyond development conditions. These findings provide new insights into the detachment mechanisms of different textured soils under compound freeze–thaw and hydrodynamic influence in freeze–thaw region.

Exploring dealkalization and Cr removal from red mud through freeze-thaw and acid washing: An experimental approach

Red mud (RM) is an industrial solid waste produced during the extraction of alumina from bauxite. The strong alkaline and heavy metal leaching issues are the primary factors limiting its utilization. This paper proposes a method for dealkalization and chromium (Cr) removal by repeated freeze and thaw to enhance the comprehensive utilization rate of RM. This study focused on the Bayer RM and investigated the effects of freeze-thaw (FT)-acid washing (AW) for dealkalization and Cr removal. The variables were the eluent concentration and FT cycles. The results showed that the synergistic action of FT-AW significantly improved the efficiency of dealkalization and Cr removal. After five FT cycles with 0.5 ​mol/L oxalic acid, the dealkalization and Cr removal rates reached 97.5% and 65.38%, respectively, 16.1% and 7.40% higher than those achieved at room temperature. The repeated FT disrupted the structure of the RM particles, leading to an increase in the pore space between the soil particles. This enables complete eluent contact and reaction with Cr and alkali, thereby enhancing the removal rate. The FT-AW process is suitable for practical engineering applications. It offers a novel method for RM dealkalization and Cr removal by using the FT alternation phenomena in seasonally frozen regions.

Frost weathering in contemporary active-layer deposits—micro-scale records from Kaffiøyra Plain (NW Spitsbergen)

Frost weathering serves a critical role under cold, nonglacial (i.e., periglacial) conditions. Within a contemporaneous active layer, the progressive development of microscale frost-weathering features may be recorded on the surface of sand-fraction quartz grains (0.5–0.8 mm). The purpose of this study is to identify the factors responsible for the effects of this type of frost weathering. Sediments from four profiles were tested from the Kaffiøyra Plain (NW Spitsbergen) in 2011. These profiles represent sediments of various origins and ages, ranging from 11 to 9 ka B.P., and on to the Little Ice Age. Scanning electron microscopy, grain-size distribution, CaCO3 content, pH, and deposit geochemistry were used to determine the intensity of frost weathering on study sediments. The results from sand-sized quartz-grain microtexture analysis indicates that a low degree of micro-scale frost weathering had occurred regardless of sediment age. Most of the micro-scale frost-weathering effects were recorded in the active layer's top and base. Quartz-sand-grain microtextures predominate in these two locations, their extant providing insight into the initial development of such weathering. Microtexture's predominance signifies an inception of weathering development, manifested as large and small conchoidal fractures (>10 μm and <10 μm, respectively). Small and large breakage blocks (>10 μm and <10 μm, respectively) are recorded as accessory microtextures, requiring more freeze–thaw cycles and longer operating times. Of note, frost-weathering effects are dependent on grain-size composition; the finer the sediment, the more intense is the grain-weathering development.