Field observation of microclimatic and ground thermal regimes during frost penetration beneath highways
Abstract
To understand the ground freezing process beneath highways, we performed field observations of microclimatic and ground thermal regimes during frost penetration. The obtained results show that the surface freezing index is approximately half the air freezing index. The results also revealed that long wave radiation at night plays an important role in advancing frost penetration. A computer model was developed to calculate an equilibrium temperature at the ground surface by taking an energy balance at the ground surface, and to calculate the frost depth. The calculated frost depth coincided well with measured values.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Climate change and permafrost
Geotechnical and construction materials studies
Soil and Unsaturated Flow
Publication details
- Journal / source
- CRC Press eBooks
- Pages
- 371–374
- Publication date
- 18 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter