Theoretical Model of Moisture Migration in Frost Soil Material

Frost action leads to water movement toward frozen parts in soil matrix, and thus causes freeze heave and thaw weakening issues in many engineering works. This study was conducted as an attempt to investigate the analytical solutions to the water movement and distribution taken place in soil which was subjected to frost action. A geometry model was established by dividing the soil matrix into two individual parts in terms of the freezing progress each part takes. Model analytical solutions were sought with regard to the water movement over time that frost action takes. The analytical solutions were compared with the test results in a preceding investigation. It is indicated that the analytical solutions derived from the model is in good agreement with the test results and is reliable to predict the water movement in soil driven by frost action.