ABSTRACT
A series of freezing tests on Hebei loam and Xuzhou clay were conducted to analyze the characteristics of frozen fringe by the use of experimental inversion method. The experimental results showed that growth process of the frozen fringe could be divided into three stages. Growth patterns of discrete segregated ice layers had three forms. The pore ice stress at the warmest ice layer was far lower than absolute value of the pore water stress and the difference of pore water potential between the warmest ice layer and the frost front had two existing forms. Ice segregation temperature fluctuated in a great range at the fast growing and stable developing stage of frozen fringe and gradually stabilized with arrival of the slow evolving stage of frozen fringe.
