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Frost action in soils causes a significant effect on the performance of roadways. This effect is more pronounced in the regions that are experiencing seasonal subfreezing temperatures as the soil undergoes multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Apart from the subfreezing temperature, the frost action is also affected by the soil type as the void ratio and hydraulic conductivity of soils control the presence and movement of water for the growth of ice lenses. Frost heave is mainly attributed to silty soils, but significant frost heave can also occur in clay and sandy soils under favorable environmental conditions. For the present study, frost heave and thaw settlement of clayey and sandy soils, subjected to a one-dimensional freeze-thaw cycle, is investigated to determine how the frost action varies with soil types. Soil specimens were subjected to ten freeze-thaw cycles. Total heaving, heave rate, and water intake were measured as a function of time during testing. The moisture content of the soils after ten freeze-thaw cycles was also measured. The amount of pore water and external water supply affects the total heave during freeze-thaw cycles. Therefore, the effect of moisture availability during the freeze-thaw cycles was also investigated by comparing the results of specimens with or without an external water supply. Results of the study suggested that significant frost heave occurred in both clay and sandy soils. In addition, the application of ten freeze-thaw cycles provided a better estimation of the total heave than that observed with two freeze-thaw cycles (typical/standard numbers of freeze-thaw cycles). The maximum heave (40.9 mm) and heave rate (5.01 mm/day) were found to be higher in clay soil. The presence of an external water supply contributed to the frost action, and total heave was seven times higher in soils with an external water source. Soil with a free water supply showed 1.1–1.7 times higher moisture content after ten cycles compared to the soils with no external water supply. These results were used in estimating the frost heave potential of soils in different environmental conditions.
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This content will become publicly available on July 23, 2026
Innovative Pressure-Sensing Wireless Network for High-Resolution Real-Time Monitoring of Soil Frost Depth and Freeze/Thaw Dynamics
The accurate soil frost depth measurement is critical for understanding freeze–thaw cycles and their impact on infrastructure stability, agricultural productivity, and ecosystem dynamics. This study introduces a novel pressure-based sensor integrated with wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to monitor frost depth in real time, offering a significant advancement over traditional manual frost tube methods. By leveraging the expansion of water upon freezing, the sensor detects pressure changes and transmits high-resolution data through a low-power, long-range (LoRa) wireless network. Field experiments demonstrated a strong correlation between the pressure sensor and manual frost tube measurements, with Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients of 0.80 and 0.78, respectively, validating the sensor’s accuracy. The high temporal resolution of the system, which captures data at 5-min intervals, enabled a detailed analysis of freeze–thaw cycles, revealing rapid changes in frost depth during the early thaw periods. Designed for resilience in harsh winter conditions, the sensor offers a scalable, low-maintenance solution for long-term remote frost monitoring. These results underscore the system’s potential to enhance environmental monitoring, optimize agricultural practices, and mitigate infrastructure risks in response to changing climate conditions.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2224545
- PAR ID:
- 10660211
- Publisher / Repository:
- IEEE
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- IEEE Sensors Journal
- Volume:
- 25
- Issue:
- 17
- ISSN:
- 1530-437X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 33564 to 33578
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Soil Temperature measurement Sensors Soil measurements Manuals Wireless sensor networks Monitoring Real-time systems Accuracy Ice
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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