| Term: | Thaw weakening |
| Definition: | The reduction in shear strength due to the decrease in effective stresses resulting from the generation and slow dissipation of excess pore pressures when frozen soils containing Ice are thawing. The usual effects of Thaw Weakening are a significant decrease in bearing capacity and an increase in instability problems. A soil is called thaw stable if it is not affected by Thaw Weakening. |