REC-ERC-82-17 June 1982 Engineering and Research Center U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation 7-2090 (4-81) . .- water ana Power ~ TECHNICAL RE lPORT STANDARD TITLE PAGE 3. RECIPIENT’S CATALOG NO. 5. REPORT DATE Frost Action in Soil Foundations and June 1982 Control of Surface Structure Heaving 6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE 7. AUTHORIS) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION C. W. Jones, D. G. Miedema and J. S. Watkins REPORT NO. REC-ERC-B2- 17 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AN0 ADDRESS 10. WORK UNIT NO. Bureau of Reclamation Engineering and Research Center 11. CONTRACT OR GRANT NO. Denver, Colorado 80225 13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED 12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS Same 14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE DIBR IS. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES Microfiche and/or hard copy available at the Engineering and Research Center, Denver, CO I Ed: ROM 1I6 ABSTRACT This is a report on frost action in soil foundations that may influence the performance of irriga- tion structures. The report provides background information and serves as a general guide for design, construction, and operation and maintenance. It also includes information on the mechanics of frost action, field and laboratory investigations of potential frost problems, case histories of frost damage to hydraulic structures, and measures to control detrimental freezing to avoid damage. The structures mentioned include earth embankment dams with appurte- nant structures, canals with linings, and various other concrete canal structures. 7. KEY WORDS ANO OOCU~~ENT *NALY~IS 3. DESCRIPTORS-- / frost action/ frost heaving/ ice lenses/ frost protection/ foundation dis- placements/ behavior (structural) 5. IDENTfFIERS-- / Bureau of Reclamation irrigation structures c. COSATI FlelciGrnup OBL COWRR: 0812 SRIM. 18. OlSTPlBUTlON STATEMENT 19 SECURITY CLASS 21. NO. OF PAGE ITHfS 4EPOR,T! Available from the Notional Technical lnformotron Servrce, Operotrons UNCLASSIFIED 69 Division, 5285 Port Royal Rood, Springfield. Virgrnro 22161. 20. SECURITY CLASS 22. PRICE ITHIS PAGEI UNCLASSIFIEC GPO 831 -3, FROST ACTION IN SOIL FOUNDATIONS AND CONTROL OF SURFACE STRUCTURE HEAVING by C.W. Jones D.G. Miedema J.S. Watkins June 1982 Engineering and Research Center Denver, Colorado SI METRIC UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR * BUREAU OF RECLAMATION As the Nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preser- ving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through out- door recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interests of all our people. The Department also has a major respon- sibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in Island Territories under U.S. Administration. The information contained in this report regarding commercial products or firms may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes and is not to be construed as an endorsement of any product or firm by the Bureau of Reclamation. CONTENTS Page Introduction . , . 1 Summary . 1 Regional survey of soil frost problems ................................ 2 Pacific Northwest ............................................ 2 Mid-Pacific. ............................................... .2 LowerColorado ........................................... ...2 Upper Colorado. ............................................ .2 Southwest .............................................. ...2 Upper Missouri .............................................. 2 Lower Missouri .............................................. 2 Mechanics of frost action in soils. ................................... 2 Frostheave ................................................ 3 Water.. .................................................. 3 Soil ................................................... ...8 Temperature ............................................. ...9 Instrumentation for measuring frost penetration ........................ 1 1 Investigations for potential frost problems ............................ 12 Performance of existing structures ................................ 12 Foundation exploration. ....................................... 12 Laboratory testing ........................................... 12 Water sources. ............................................ .I 5 Measures to reduce frost action ................................... 15 Control of frost action ........................................ 15 Data required for design ....................................... 16 Depth of frost penetration. ..................................... 16 Structural foundations ........................................ 22 Hydraulic structures. ........................................ .25 Problems and corrective measures in hydraulic structures .................. 2 7 Spillways and outlet works ..................................... 28 VallecitoDam ............................................ 31 LemonDam..............................................3 1 JamestownDam..........................................3 1 Dickinson Dam. .......................................... .34 McClusky Canal structure .................................... 34 Chutes and drop structures ..................................... 34 Checks and wasteways ....................................... 3 5 Pipe turnouts .............................................. 35 Pipe crossing on piers ........................................ .3 5 Canallining ............................................... 39 Concrete................................................3 9 Buried plastic membrane ..................................... 39 Compacted soil ........................................... 42 Earth embankment dams ...................................... 44 III CONTENTS-Continued Page Review of new techniques to control frost action ........................ 45 Polystyrene insulation ........................................ 45 Under pavements. ........................................ .45 On Bureau projects ........................................ .46 Heatpipes................................................5 0 Other techniques. .......................................... .50 Bibliography ................................................ 5 1 Appendix A-Structural damage from frost heave ....................... 53 Spillway on Vallecito Dam. .................................... .53 Spillway on Lemon Dam ....................................... 53 Spillway on Dickinson Dam ..................................... 54 Control Structures and canal lining on Riverton Unit. .................... 55 Concrete lining on Steinaker Feeder Canal ........................... 56 Appendix B-Synthetic insulation .................................. 6 1 Insulation in airfield construction ................................. 6 1 Insulation in highway construction ................................ 62 Retention of permafrost ....................................... 64 General .................................................. 64 Appendix C-Measurement of frost penetration in soil and collection of related data. .................................... .66 Frosttube, ............................................... 66 Soil density and moisture ...................................... 66 Temperature...............................................6 6 Snowdepth.. ............................................. 68 Ground surface elevation ...................................... 68 FIGURES Figure 1 Frost action effects. , . .4 2 Formation of frost heave . 5 3 Open- and closed-system freezing . 5 4 Stages in growth of ice lenses. .7 5 Schematic view of soil freezing in coarse-grained soil . 9 6 Summary of average rate of heave versus percentage of natural soilfinerthan0.2 mm . 10 7 Freezing index from annual variation in surface temperature. 1 1 8 Assembly of frost tube for measurement of frost penetration in soil. 1 1 9 Frost heave cabinet for conducting freezing tests on soils . , . , . 13 10 Soil samples from Whitestone Flats Canal tested in frost heave cabinet.............................................13 1 1 Gradation of soil from Whitestone Flats Canal tested in frost heave cabinet. 14 12 Determination of the design and mean air-freezing indexes . 17 13 Distribution of mean air-freezing index values in continental United States . 18 14 Distribution of design air-freezing index values in continental United States . , . 19 iv CONTENTS-Continued FIGURES-Continued Figure PaaeY- 1 5 Frost penetration in granular soil beneath a 305-mm (12-in) concrete paved area kept free of snow and ice ................... 20 16 Relationship between air-freezing index, surface cover, and frost penetration for homogeneous soils ....................... 2 1 17 Design curves for foundation insulation of unheated structures ......... 23 18 Generalized design curves for minimum insulation requirements for heated structures without insulation above grade. .............. 24 19 Thickness of non-frost-susceptible backfill behind concrete walls ........ 26 20 Design of wall to prevent frost damage. ........................ .27 21 Design of insulated turnout ................................. 28 22 Cracks caused by frost action in stilling basin wall .................. 29 23 Excavation behind stilling basin wall ..........................