ASTM International

Standard Test Methods for Frost Heave and Thaw Weakening Susceptibility of Soils
 N D5918

Annotation

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 ratio2 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 frostsusceptibility considerations, based on particle size such as the limit of 3 % finer than 20 mm in Specification D2940, are uncertain. This is most important for frost-susceptibility criteria such as those used by the Corps of Engineers,3 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).

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 applications involving long-term freezing of permafrost or for foundations of refrigerated structures.

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

All recorded and calculated values shall conform to the guide for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.

The procedures used to specify how data are collected/ recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that should generally be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user's objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.