Chen Xiaobai, Wang Yaqing, Tao Zhaoxiang
Experimental results show that unfreezing water content, freezing point, hydro-conductivity and diffusivity of clay vary with its original water content and can be expressed by empirical formulas. There is a dehydration process in the zone below frost fringe. Under the condition with the ground-water table of less than 100 cm and the frost penetration rate from 2 to 4 cm/day, the frost heave rate of clay at a given level is constant. The shallower the water level is, the less the changes of suction force below frost front and the stronger the frost heave are. Under relative deeper ground-water table and greater penetration rate, the frost heave decreases because water supply is not sufficiently.