On the minimum depth of bridge and culvert foundations in seasonal frost regions

Based on extensive field experiments related to frost heave susceptibility of clayey soil and fine sand and frost heave of different depths of foundations, those factors influencing depths of bridge and culvert foundations in seasonal frost regions were analysed in detail. These factors include the correction coefficient to standard frost penetration, the allowable thickness of frozen soil under foundations, the influence coefficient of frost penetration due to the depth of foundations, and so forth. A method and its related parameters for determining the minimum depth of bridge and culvert foundations are presented.