C ANADA .

GEOT ECHNI C AL I NFORMAT I ON

Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) or an affiliated company of Dow
TECH SOLUTIONS 605.0
Calculating Insulation Needs to
Fight Frost Heave by Comparing
Freezing Index and Frost Depth
To calculate the amount of
insulation needed to protect
highways, railroads, airport run-
ways, utility lines and building
foundations against frost heave,
its important to know the amount
of frost penetration. There are two
ways to calculate frost penetration:
theoretically or actual field moni-
toring. Dow uses both methods.
A theoretical formula that predicts
frost depth with freezing index
information provides a quick
estimate. Obtaining actual field
data provides the most accurate
information.
The freezing index is defined as
the number of degree-days
(above and below 32F [0C])
between the highest point in the
autumn and the lowest point in
the spring on the cumulative
degree-day time curve for one
winter season. Or, simply the total
number of degree-days of freezing
for a given winter.
To help with calculations, this
information sheet includes:
maps of Canada showing
the normal (mean) value of
freezing index
listings of normal freezing index
data for major areas across
Canada
charts showing the relationship
between freezing index and
frost penetration as prepared
by the Ministry of Transportation
of Ontario
1
4
0
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1000
1 degree-day F
1.8
= 1 degree-day C
NOTE:
11000
1500
2500
2000
CANADA
South of Latitude 80 North
Chart 1
Normal Freezing Index
in Degree-Days Fahrenheit
Based on the Period 1931 to 1960
Prepared jointly by the Division of
Building Research, National
Research Council, and the
Atmospheric Environment Service,
Dept. of the Environment, Canada
Figure 1: Freezing Index Map for Canada
TECH SOLUTIONS 605.0
C ANADA . GEOT ECHNI C AL I NFORMAT I ON
1200
1200
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3
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600
QUEBEC
QUEBEC
USA
USA
USA
USA
G
E
O
R
G
I
A
N

B
A
Y
Bancroft
Ottawa
North Bay
Huntsville
Sudbury
Pembroke
Perth
Cornwall
Peterborough
Kingston
Shelburne
Owen Sound
Parry Sound
Stratford
London
Wellend
Toronto
Chatham
Windsor
LAKE ONTARIO
LAKE HURON
1000
LAKE ERIE

Pickle Lake
Dryden
Longlac
Hearst
Moosonee
Cochrane
White River
Timmins
Chapleau
Sudbury
North Bay
New Liskeard
Sault Ste. Marie Fort Frances
Red Lake
Big Trout Lake
Thunder
Bay
JAMES BAY
HUDSON BAY
LAKE SUPERIOR G
E
O
R
G
IA
N

B
A
Y
QUEBEC
MANITOBA
M
A
N
I
T
O
B
A

SOUTHERN ONTARIO
Normal Freezing Index
in Degree-Days Celsius
Based on the Period 1931 to 1970
Engineering Research and
Development Branch, MTC
NORTHERN ONTARIO
Normal Freezing Index
in Degree-Days Celsius
Based on the Period 1931 to 1970
Engineering Research and
Development Branch, MTC
Figure 2: Freezing Index Map for Southern Ontario
Figure 3: Freezing Index Map for Northern Ontario
Calculating Insulation Needs to Fight Frost Heave
by Comparing Freezing Index and Frost Depth
TECH SOLUTIONS 605.0
C ANADA . GEOT ECHNI C AL I NFORMAT I ON
Calculating Insulation Needs to Fight Frost Heave
by Comparing Freezing Index and Frost Depth
CLAY & DAM
P TOP SOIL SILT & SAN
D
Y SILT
SILTY SAN
D
G
L
A
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P
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C
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IS
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S
ILT
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F
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BARE GROUND OR PAVEMENT, SNOW-FREE
500 1500 3000 2500 1000 2000
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
AIR FREEZING INDEX, DEGREE-DAYS F
600
600
1000
1000
1500
1500
2000
2000
2500
2500
3000
3000
TURF, 12 INCH SNOW COVER
TURF, SNOW-FREE

F FREEZING INDEX, DEGREE-DAYS
P

F
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S
T

P
E
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M
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S













0
.05
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 0
MEAN MTC 1970-75
P=-0.328+0.058 F
MOT 1973
P=-0.61+0.068 F
C
Figure 4:
Relationship between air freezing index, surface cover and frost
penetration into homogeneous soils
BARE GROUND OR PAVEMENT, SNOW-FREE
AIR FREEZING INDEX, DEGREE-DAYS
600
600
1000
1000
1500
1500
2000
2000
2500
2500
3000
3000
TURF, 12 INCH SNOW COVER
TURF, SNOW-FREE
F
F
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S
T

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NO GRAVEL
1'
2'
3'
4'
8'
9'
10'
7'
6'
5'
W
E
L
L
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D
R
A
IN
E
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S
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D
Y
G
R
A
V
E
L
Figure 5:
Relationship between air freezing index, surface cover and frost
penetration into a granular soil overlying a fine-grained soil
Figure 6:
Frost Penetration in Ontario 1970-1975
Table 1: Freezing Indices for Canada
Freezing Index
Station Degree-Days F Degree-Days C
British Columbia
Abbotsford A
(1)
45 25
Beatton River A 3,893 2,164
Comox A 596 331
Cranbrook A 1,314 730
Dog Creek A 1,457 809
Fort Nelson A 4,523 2,513
Fort St. John A 2,848 1,582
Kamloops A 603 335
Kimberley A 1,434 797
New Westminister 35 19
Penticton A 313 174
Port Hardy A 33 18
Prince George A 1,670 928
Prince Rupert A 64 36
Princeton A 1,111 617
Quesnel A 1,457 809
Sandspit A 35 19
Smithers A 1,498 832
Smith River A 4,866 2,703
Terrace A 637 354
Tofino A 20 11
Vancouver A 31 17
Victoria A 28 16
Williams Lake A 881 489
Yukon Territory
Aishihik A 5,038 2,799
Dawson 6,174 3,430
Haines Junction 4,498 2,499
Mayo 5,454 3,030
Snag A 6,477 3,598
Teslin A 3,754 2,086
Watson Lake A 3,281 1,823
Whitehorse 3,574 1,986
Northwest Territories
Cape Dyer A 7,058 3,921
Coral Harbour A 8,552 4,751
Fort McPherson 7,747 4,304
Frobisher Bay A 7,026 3,903
Hay River A 5,512 3,062
Inuvik A 8,424 4,680
Norman Wells A 7,026 3,903
Resolute Bay A 11,166 6,203
Tuktoyaktuk 8,855 4,919
Yellowknife A 6,506 3,614
Alberta
Banff 1,963 1,091
Calgary A 1,791 995
Cold Lake A 3,174 1,763
Cowley A 1,413 785
Edmonton A 2,593 1,441
Embarras A 4,439 2,466
Fort McMurray A 4,024 2,236
Grande Prairie A 2,967 1,648
Jasper 1,885 1,047
Lake Louise 2,810 1,561
Lethbridge A 1,326 737
Medicine Hat A 1,809 1,005
Peace River A 3,805 2,114
(1) A indicates an airport data station.
C ANADA . GEOT ECHNI C AL I NFORMAT I ON
TECH SOLUTIONS 605.0
Calculating Insulation Needs to Fight Frost Heave
by Comparing Freezing Index and Frost Depth
Table 1: Continued
Freezing Index
Station Degree-Days F Degree-Days C
Alberta continued
Penhold A 2,586 1,437
Red Deer 2,382 1,323
Suffield A 2,259 1,255
Vermilion A 3,222 1,790
Saskatchewan
Broadview A 3,244 1,802
Dafoe A 3,722 2,068
Estevan A 2,646 1,470
Moose Jaw A 2,555 1,419
North Battleford A 3,378 1,877
Prince Albert A 3,739 2,077
Regina A 3,175 1,764
Saskatoon A 3,284 1,824
Swift Current A 3,323 1,846
Uranium City A 5,551 3,084
Yorkton A 3,563 1,799
Manitoba
Brandon A 3,388 1,882
Churchill A 6,698 3,721
Flin Flon 4,279 2,377
Gimli A 3,417 1,898
MacDonald A 3,038 1,688
Neepawa A 3,282 1,823
Portage La Prairie A 2,855 1,586
Rivers A 3,315 1,842
Winnipeg A 3,251 1,806
Ontario
Algonquin Park 2,147 1,193
Belleville 1,143 635
Brampton 1,026 570
Brantford 790 439
Chalk River 2,096 1,164
Chatham 531 295
Cochrane 3,309 1,838
Collingwood 975 542
Dryden 3,395 1,886
Georgetown 1,084 602
Guelph 1,055 586
Hamilton 663 368
Huntsville 1,656 920
Iroquois Falls 3,388 1,882
Kapuskasing A 3,439 1,911
Kenora A 3,172 1,762
Kingston 1,220 678
Kirkland Lake 3,244 1,802
Kitchener 983 546
Lindsay 1,445 803
London A 863 479
Moosonee 4,081 2,267
Niagara Falls 684 380
North Bay 2,210 1,228
Orangeville 1,423 791
Orillia 1,495 831
Ottawa A 1,829 1,016
Owen Sound 995 553
Parry Sound 1,517 843
Peterborough 1,365 758
Port Arthur (Thunder Bay) 2,541 1,412
Continued on next page
TECH SOLUTIONS 605.0
Calculating Insulation Needs to Fight Frost Heave
by Comparing Freezing Index and Frost Depth
Freezing Index
Station Degree-Days F Degree-Days C
Ontario continued
St. Catharines 506 281
St. Thomas 710 394
Sarnia 670 372
Sault Ste. Marie A 1,663 924
Simcoe 751 417
Sioux Lookout A 3,450 1,917
Stratford 1,072 596
Sudbury A 2,401 1,334
Timmins A 3,160 1,756
Toronto 629 349
Toronto A 897 498
White River 3,344 1,858
Windsor A 565 314
Woodstock 929 516
Qubec
Bagotville A 2,867 1,593
Baie Comeau A 2,518 1,399
Chicoutimi 2,536 1,409
Drummondville 1,827 1,015
Gagnon A 4,216 2,342
Gasp 2,012 1,118
La Malbaie 2,043 1,135
Mont Laurier 2,325 1,292
Montral A 1,583 879
Qubec 1,822 1,012
Qubec A 2,059 1,144
Sept-Iles A 2,746 1,526
Sherbrooke 1,581 878
Sorel 1,997 1,109
Tadoussac 2,038 1,132
Three Rivers 2,139 1,188
New Brunswick
Edmundston 2,219 1,233
Fredericton A 1,561 867
Moncton A 1,397 776
Pennfield Ridge A 1,178 654
Table 1: Continued Table 1: Continued
Freezing Index
Station Degree-Days F Degree-Days C
New Brunswick continued
Sackville 1,174 652
St. George 1,115 619
Saint John 1,002 557
Saint John A 1,137 632
Sussex 1,337 743
Woodstock 1,701 945
Nova Scotia
Annapolis Royal 593 329
Cheticamp 955 531
Debert A 1,136 631
Greenwood A 815 453
Halifax 556 309
Halifax A 856 476
Ingonish Beach 828 460
Liverpool 453 252
Shearwater A 699 388
Springfield 933 518
Sydney A 811 451
Truro 1,025 569
Yarmouth A 415 231
Prince Edward Island
Alliston 1,000 556
Charlottetown A 1,201 667
Summerside A 1,242 690
Newfoundland
Argentia A 475 264
Bonavista 853 474
Buchans A 1,724 958
Churchill Falls A 4,818 2,677
Corner Brook 1,120 622
Gander International A 1,207 671
Goose A 3,268 1,816
Grand Falls 1,394 774
St. Johns 648 360
Stephenville A 925 514
Wabush Lake A 4,688 2,604
C ANADA . GEOT ECHNI C AL I NFORMAT I ON
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Republished November 2008