Cracked pavement due to frost heave

Unearthing the Real Dirt: How Frost Heave Cracks Your Pavement and What You Can Do

Soraya Malik in Tech & Innovation August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Dive into the science behind pavement joint deterioration and discover practical strategies to combat frost heave, keeping your infrastructure sound and safe."

Winter's beauty often masks a destructive force lurking beneath our feet: frost heave. This phenomenon, where soil expands due to freezing water, poses a significant threat to infrastructure, especially pavement. When water freezes in the soil under roads, it forms ice lenses that grow and push the pavement upwards. This can cause cracks, uneven surfaces, and costly repairs. Ignoring frost heave can lead to hazardous driving conditions and accelerated deterioration of our roadways.

A recent study published in the Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities sheds light on the intricate mechanisms behind frost heave deterioration at pavement joints. Authored by Yang Zhang, David J. White, Pavana K. R. Vennapusa, Alex E. Johnson, and Maxim M. Prokudin, the research delves into the causes and potential solutions for this pervasive issue. Understanding their findings is key to maintaining safer and more durable roads.

Let's break down the complexities of frost heave, explore the study's key insights, and discover how you can protect your pavements from winter's icy grip.

The Science of Frost Heave: A Chilling Reality

Frost heave doesn't just happen; it's a perfect storm of conditions converging beneath the pavement. Geotechnical engineers generally agree that three elements must be present for frost heave to occur. First, the soil needs to be frost-susceptible, meaning it contains fine-grained particles that allow water to be drawn up through capillary action. Second, there must be a sufficient supply of water, which can come from groundwater, precipitation, or even melting snow. Finally, the soil temperature must drop to or below freezing, allowing the water to turn into ice.

The speed at which freezing occurs also plays a critical role. Rapid freezing often means there isn’t enough time for large ice lenses to form, reducing the amount of heave. Slower freezing, on the other hand, allows ice lenses to grow larger, leading to more significant damage. This is why milder temperatures, which prolong the freezing process, can sometimes cause more extensive deterioration than a short, severe cold snap.

Here’s a quick recap of the key conditions that lead to frost heave:

Frost-susceptible soil: Fine-grained soils that allow water to be drawn up.
Water Supply: Sufficient moisture from groundwater or precipitation.
Freezing Temperatures: Soil temperatures at or below freezing.
Slow Freezing Process: Allowing ice lenses to grow larger.

The study highlights the importance of understanding these conditions to mitigate frost heave effectively. By addressing even one of these factors, we can significantly reduce the risk of pavement damage.

Practical Steps to Protect Your Pavements

While the science of frost heave can seem complex, there are practical steps you can take to minimize its impact on your pavements. Proper drainage is crucial to reduce the amount of water available in the soil. This includes ensuring that ditches and culverts are clear of debris and that the pavement surface is properly sloped to allow water to run off. Selecting appropriate materials for pavement construction can also make a significant difference. Using non-frost-susceptible base materials can prevent ice lenses from forming directly under the pavement surface. Regular maintenance, such as sealing cracks and joints, can prevent water from seeping into the subgrade and exacerbating the problem. By understanding the science behind frost heave and taking proactive measures, you can protect your pavements and ensure safer roads for everyone.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1061/(asce)cf.1943-5509.0001234, Alternate LINK

Title: Discussion Of “Investigating Frost Heave Deterioration At Pavement Joint Locations” By Yang Zhang, David J. White, Pavana K. R. Vennapusa, Alex E. Johnson, And Maxim M. Prokudin

Subject: Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

Journal: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities

Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Authors: Vishnu Diyaljee

Published: 2019-02-01

Everything You Need To Know

What specific conditions must be present for frost heave to occur in pavement?

Frost heave occurs when three conditions are met: frost-susceptible soil, a sufficient water supply, and freezing temperatures. Frost-susceptible soil contains fine-grained particles that allow water to be drawn up through capillary action. The water supply comes from groundwater, precipitation, or melting snow. When soil temperature drops to or below freezing, the water turns into ice, forming ice lenses that expand and push the pavement upwards.

How does the speed of freezing affect the severity of frost heave, and why?

The speed at which freezing occurs greatly influences frost heave. Slow freezing allows ice lenses to grow larger, leading to more significant damage. Milder temperatures, which prolong the freezing process, can cause more extensive deterioration than a short, severe cold snap. Rapid freezing often means there isn’t enough time for large ice lenses to form, reducing the amount of heave.

What are some practical steps that can be taken to protect pavements from frost heave damage?

To minimize the impact of frost heave, proper drainage is crucial to reduce the amount of water available in the soil. Ensuring that ditches and culverts are clear of debris and that the pavement surface is properly sloped to allow water to run off is important. Using non-frost-susceptible base materials during pavement construction can also prevent ice lenses from forming directly under the pavement surface. Regular maintenance, such as sealing cracks and joints, can prevent water from seeping into the subgrade and exacerbating the problem.

Does the study mention chemical treatments or insulation as potential solutions to prevent frost heave? Why might these be valid?

The study, featured in the Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities and authored by Yang Zhang, David J. White, Pavana K. R. Vennapusa, Alex E. Johnson, and Maxim M. Prokudin, explores the causes and potential solutions for frost heave deterioration at pavement joints. It does not specifically mention chemical treatments or insulation as solutions, but these could be valid given the explanation of the conditions needed for frost heave to occur.

What are the potential consequences of ignoring frost heave and not addressing it with proper maintenance?

Ignoring frost heave leads to several adverse consequences. Pavement cracks and uneven surfaces develop, increasing the risk of accidents. These conditions necessitate costly repairs and shorten the lifespan of roads. Hazardous driving conditions emerge, endangering drivers. Furthermore, the overall deterioration of roadways accelerates, requiring more frequent and extensive maintenance.