1. Scope

1.1 These laboratory test methods cover the frost heave and thaw weakening susceptibilities of soil that is tested in the laboratory by comparing the heave rate and thawed bearing ratio with values in an established classification system. This test was developed to classify the frost susceptibility of soils used in pavements. It should be used for soils where frost-susceptibility considerations, based on particle size such as the limit of 3 % finer than 20 mm in Specification D 2940, are uncertain. This is most important for frost-susceptibility criteria such as those used by the Corps of Engineers, that require a freezing test for aggregates of inconclusive frost classification. The frost heave susceptibility is determined from the heave rate during freezing. The thaw weakening susceptibility is determined with the bearing ratio test (see Test Method D1883).

1.2 This is an index test for estimating the relative degree of frost-susceptibility of soils used in pavement systems. It cannot be used to predict the amount of frost heave nor the strength after thawing, nor can it be used for long-term freezing of permafrost or for foundations of refrigerated structures.

1.3 The test methods described are for one sample and uses manual temperature control. It is suggested that four samples be tested simultaneously and that the temperature control and data taking be automated using a computer.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information only.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials

D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates

D420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering Design and Construction Purposes

D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids

D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft3 (600 kN-m/m3))

D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for Geotechnical Purposes

D1883 Test Method for CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils

D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass

D2940 Specification for Graded Aggregate Material For Bases or Subbases for Highways or Airports

D3550 Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel, Drive Sampling of Soils

D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction

D4083 Practice for Description of Frozen Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure)

D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data

E105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials

E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or Process

Keywords

freeze-thaw test; frost susceptibility; roads and runways; soil and aggregate; thaw weakening susceptibility;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.080.01 (Soil quality in general)

DOI: 10.1520/D5918-96R01

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