Gravel is often used to describe a mixture of different-sized pieces of stone mixed with sand and possibly clay. In the building industry, we often use gravel to make concrete, mix with asphalt, create foundations for new roads, fill construction sites, and even create other construction materials like blocks, pipes, and bricks.
However, gravel has one important characteristic that we use in construction. Gravel is generally considered free from frost heaving.
Does gravel have a greater frost depth?
Yes, gravel has greater frost depth than typical soil. Usually, gravel is considered free from frost heaving. In construction, gravel with less than 10% grains smaller than 0.02 mm is insensitive to frost. However, if gravel has more dust, sand, and clay, it becomes more sensitive to frost.
But there is one problem. Frost can penetrate gravel to deeper levels than it will clay, sand, or silt. Gravel can substantially increase the frost depth to below the footing.
Because of that, we need to calculate the proper frost line depth by zip code and use gravel as the foundation. To learn how to check frost depth, read our article as well.
Does gravel backfill affect frost depth?
Yes, gravel backfill affects frost depth because gravel is free from frost heaving and prevents frost from penetrating too deeply. It is excellent practice to use gravel backfill because it supports and strengthens a structure and discourages weeds from growing. Additionally, gravel stops excess moisture and provides a natural drainage system.
Let us discuss gravel and soil frost penetration.
A soil surface area had a lower surface temperature at the same depth. Moisture in the pavement rose to the soil surface during the freezing process. Moisture content in the top layer of the soil surface area was the greatest at the same depth as the rest of the soil surface area. The total amount of frost heaving was more concentrated in the pavement shoulder area than the pavement region. Recent studies showed the frost heave model’s accuracy and reliability to be acceptable in tests conducted in the lab and using FEM. Theoretically, these findings may aid in the study of frost heaving features.
Soil frost heaving properties have been studied extensively by researchers domestically and internationally. The phenomena of soil frost heaving properties are widely regarded as a combination of heat, dampness, and topsoil. Moisture in the top layer of soil freezes first, causing the soil volume to expand and creating an opposing force in that frozen region under circumstances of negative temperature. Moisture from neighboring places may be drawn by passageway when the soil moisture is high. Consequently, the number of ice increases, resulting in frost heaving at the soil’s foundation. Temperature and moisture are external conditions, whereas soil is a core element in determining soil frost heaving.
Conclusion
To reduce soil moisture content, increase structure layer thickness, and replace frost-prone soil, popular approaches include lowering soil humidity, increasing arrangement layer wideness, and substituting ground, i.e., less exposed. Gravel soil is devoid of frost heave by definition. As a result, it is often utilized as a soil basis for building in areas where the ground is frequently covered by frozen ground. However, frost heaving may still occur in gravel soil if it includes a sufficient quantity of sandy soil, particularly silt.
Based on recent research, the most vulnerable soils to frost heaving deformation are those with >6% of the grain size smaller than 0.05 millimeter, according to specific experimental data. Gravel soil’s susceptibility to frost heaving is intimately tied to its sediment and humidity content, although little is known about this relationship. Frozen deepness, mud category, and variables such as dryness and wetness all play a role in determining the antifreeze layer thickness in pavement design criteria. Frost heaving may occur in pavement systems that satisfy design criteria, particularly in the shoulder area, where frost heaving is more problematic.
Within pavement construction, the temperature rises steadily from top to bottom. Different locations’ temperatures stay at 0 °Celsius over time (except for the surface temperatures in each area). Both moistures moving upward and towards the soil surface occur during the freezing process. After freezing, the soil’s moisture content is at its peak. Slight shrinkage, rapid frost heaving, and stabilization are the three phases of frozen shearing.
The finite element model’s temperature, moisture, and deformation variations analysis is almost identical to laboratory tests. The atmosphere’s temperature will rise due to greenhouse gas emissions, which will alter the frost-heaving properties of a gravel soil foundation.
FAQs
What is Gravel frost depth?
Gravel is frost-heave-free. It’s typically used as construction soil in locations with frozen ground. Frost heaving may occur in gravel soil if it contains enough silt. According to experiment data, soils with >6% grain size smaller than 0.05 mm are more prone to frost heaving deformation. Little is known about the link between gravel soil’s silt and moisture content and frost heaving.
From 2022 onwards, Mark has also been contributing author of home repair articles at nimblefreelancer.com.
Read more on Mark Brown's biography page.
Contact Mark: mark@nimblefreelancer.com
