Internal stresses in frozen ground

Small transducers that were inserted 1.2 cm apart in a frozen soil subjected to a temperature gradient have shown differences in pressure of more than 0.1 MPa. The pressures are generated by growth of ice lenses taking place against the resistance of the surrounding frozen soil.The observations, which are compatible with reports by others from various field studies, illustrate the importance of both the thermodynamic and mechanical constraints on the process of frost heave and the development of frost heave pressures.