Changes in the annual freeze and thaw cycles resulting from winter periods that trend close to freezing point. Saturated building materials may freeze, expand and crack facades and structural elements.
Freeze-thaw is the process by which porous materials such as concrete, brick and stone are damaged when liquid water freezes and expands inside them. Non-porous materials such as steel will not be affected.
Typical studies on material failure due to freeze-thaw look at the number of freeze-thaw cycles until the material fails. The Climate Risk Engines consider a freeze-thaw cycle as any day where there is a Tmin less than 0 °C and a Tmax greater than or equal to 0 °C.