Product Information:

Frost heaving (or frost heave) is a natural phenomenon that occurs when soil swells during freezing conditions. As cold temperatures penetrate the ground, ice begins to form and grow upward within the soil. While the soil restricts the growth of ice crystals, it cannot prevent the formation of ice lenses within the soil layers. These lenses bond with the soil, creating a solid, rigid block that pushes the ground upward—causing frost heave. Typically, the strength of this effect increases as temperatures drop further. Over time, frost heave can damage roads and buildings, with the extent of damage depending on the soil type and its moisture content.

The Frost Heave Test Chamber can automatically perform the frost heave test, simulating real environmental conditions, developed according to the British standard BS 812-214.

The system consists of two main parts: a temperature-controlled section and a separate compartment housing all the power and control components necessary for the machine’s operation.

The temperature-controlled section is further divided into two tanks:

1. A lower tank filled with water maintained at 4°C
2. An upper tank containing refrigerated air at -17°C

These tanks operate independently. Between them sits an intermediate cradle and a wooden support that holds the samples to be tested. Additionally, the chamber includes a datum reference frame and nine brass bars. These nine bars correspond to the nine specimens, which are raised by capillary freezing within the brass bars. The machine functions as a precise simulation of natural frost heave, replicating the freezing process of soil. Water from the temperature-controlled environment rises and freezes, causing the brass bars to lift. The operator measures the amount each bar has risen every 24 hours, which directly corresponds to the lifting of each sample.

Equipped with a touchscreen, the machine automates most of the frost heave testing process. The user simply loads the samples into the chamber, installs the reference frame, inserts the brass rods, and starts the test by pressing a button on the touchscreen. From there, the machine handles the rest, notifying the user when it’s time to check the frost heave. At the end of the test, the user can remove the USB key to download all the data from the eleven probes within the test volume onto a PC.

Specifications:

Click here to download AG290 Data Sheet