Analysis of Factors Influencing the Frost Heave of Saline Soils in Western Jilin Based on Grey Relational Analysis

This study investigates recurrent frost-heave distress in carbonate saline soils of western Jilin and identifies the key factors and their relative importance. Laboratory tests under multiple conditions used frost-heave rate as the response. Using a large dataset, grey relational analysis (GRA) assessed associations between frost-heave rate and eight factors: temperature, water content, degree of compaction, salt content, clay fraction, cation exchange capacity (CEC), specific surface area (SSA), and silt fraction. The overall ranking is: temperature > water content > compaction > salt content > clay fraction > CEC > SSA > silt. Specimens were taken from different depths within one soil profile, so intrinsic variability was limited; consequently, CEC, SSA, and silt show comparatively weak associations. The slightly stronger role of clay reflects its enhancement of water-retention, which amplifies frost heave. These results provide a quantitative basis for mechanism characterization and factor prioritization, inform risk assessment and control in cold-region pavements and foundations (e.g., water and compaction control, salinity regulation, thermal management), and support predictive models and mitigation strategies tailored to western Jilin.