Influence of overconsolidation on the freezing characteristics of a clayey silt

Abstract

Laboratory freezing tests were performed on a saturated clayey silt at various overconsolidation ratios (OCR) to establish the relationship between initial void ratio and stress history, and the amount of moisture transfer during freezing. The frost heave tests were analysed in terms of the segregation potential as well as a function of the temperature of ice lens formation and the overall hydraulic conductivity of the frozen fringe. All other factors being the same, the segregation potential was found to increase with increasing values of OCR (decreasing initial void ratios). However, the combined effects of decreasing void ratio and increasing suction at the frost line, all other factors being identical in all freezing tests, resulted in decreasing segregation potentials. This trend was the result of a decrease in the temperature of ice lens formation and the concomitant decrease in overall hydraulic conductivity of the frozen fringe. A simple model showed that the capillary unfrozen water between clay particles increases when the particles pack closer together, as overconsolidation increases, allowing the migratory water to freeze within the frozen soil at a colder temperature. Key words: frost heave, clayey silt, overconsolidation, void ratio.