Development of a Differential Frost Heave Model: Application to Patterned Ground Formation

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This award supports a project to extend predictive frost heave models to full 3-D forms in an effort to better understand the processes involved in development of patterned ground, such as earth hummocks, that occurs in periglacial environments. Of the 19 mechanisms thought to be important, either singly or in combination, for formation of patterned ground, only two have been incorporated into mathematical models. The objectives of this work are: 1) to use published laboratory frost-heave data to test a simplified form of the 1-D secondary frost-heave model of O Neill and Miller which can be generalized to 3-D; 2) to ascertain the ability of a new differential frost-heave model based on this simplified form of the O Neill and Miller model to describe earth hummocks whose relevant properties have been characterized; 3) to refine this differential frost-heave model based on the laboratory and field observations; and 4) to explore the applicability of this model to describe features of other forms of patterned ground. In addition to improving models of periglacial processes, this work will benefit researchers correlating ancient geomorphic features with past climate as well as engineers developing construction projects in periglacial regions.