On the freezing of clay soil and water migration into the pavement design

The freezing of the surface layers of the Earth’s crust causes the volume deformation of soil and is expressed in the increase of volume and differential movement of their surface due to freezing of water and formation of ice inclusions. Underestimation of the frost heaving of soils, as well as the untimely application of anti — heaving measures cause the enormous damage to the national economy. All of this results in life reduction and condition deterioration of auto-road operation, as well as increase in non-manufacturing labor costs, building materials and financial means. During the experimental studies we have found that after four stages of freezing and defrosting the physical properties of clay soil change, i.e. the formation of 2-3 mm ice lenses is taking place at the junction of clay soil and sand. The number and dimensions of ice lenses increase with a further tightening of moisture up to 5-6 mm, and 3 zones related to the intensity of freezing are formed