frost-thaw actions
frost-thaw actions
(OP)
Living in Northern Maine, we experience deep penetrating frost action as much as 7-10 feet deep, depending on temperatures, soils, moisture content, snow cover, etc. I am looking for information showing different soil types with or without different moisture levels and the depth of frost penetration achieved under similar temperatures. In addition, I am looking for information showing the freeze thaw relationship over time, specifically does frost action still penetrate deeper when the thaw cycle begins, and under what conditions. My understanding is that frost is a suface down phenomenon and so is the thaw cycle, but it seems that municipal water systems continue to experience frozen pipes even when temperatures are rising and surface thawing has begun.





RE: frost-thaw actions
RE: frost-thaw actions
There are several opinions that can be advanced based on experinces gained from other jurisdictions. Since soil type is one of the three important factors, I would suggest that you may be able to obtain this kind of information from the Department of Highways in Maine. Genearally, DOTs tend to have a lot of information on this subject as frost probes are used to understand depth of frost penetration during the winter and thaw seasons. Load bans are developed for some roadways based on this information. I would try the DOT as information from them would be pertinent to your environment.
Just as some info, it is found that a significant issue to frost problems is the speed at which the freezing plane penetrates the soil. If the speed is rapid as caused by a severe drop in temperature below freezing at the onset of winter then there is hardly much time for frost lens to develop and the effects are much less severe than if the winter is milder and causes a slow penetration of the freezing front.
The freezing of water pipes can result from a number of issues - depth of embedment with respect to frost penetration, nature of surrounding soil, bedding material etc., use or non use of insulation. It should be noted that gravel materials tend to allow a deeper penetration of the frost front. The design of water mains take these and more into consideration but sometimes it is not economical to design for the worst conditions.
I do not know if the above helps. The frost problem is always an interesting one requiring the evaluation of soil type, water and temperature. Silts are the most troublesome in this regard.
RE: frost-thaw actions
RE: frost-thaw actions
RE: frost-thaw actions
try: http://www.usace.army.mil/publications/armytm/tm5-852-4/entire.pdf
This should work.
RE: frost-thaw actions
http://www.pubs.asce.org/BOOKdisplay.cgi?8401470
Its "Frost Action and Its Control" a US Army and ASCE publication. There's some good discussion of freezing and thawing as well as designing in frost prone soils.