Developments and applications of frost susceptibility testing

ABSTRACT Jones, R.H., 1981. Developments and applications of frost susceptibility testing. Eng. Geol., 18: 269-280. Current developments to the British TRRL frost susceptibility test are reviewed particularly in relation to the use of self refrigerated units (SRUs), specimen preparation, and testing larger specimens. The important influence of the rate of heat extraction on heave is demonstrated in Precise Freezing Cell (PFC) tests. By interpreting the TRRL test using the characteristic parameters favoured in other tests, the common ground between testing procedures, e.g., the CRREL, French and NRRL tests is demonstrated. It is concluded that a fully monitored test in which constant surface temperatures are imposed offers considerable advantages. The problems of predicting heaving profiles arising from artificial ground freezing are considered briefly.