PURPOSES : The aim of this study is to review freeze-and-thaw testing apparatuses, develop a freeze-and-thaw testing setup with a test protocol, test the freeze-and-thaw properties of soils collected from different parts of South Korea, and suggest an index for frost susceptibility criteria for soils found in South Korea. METHODS : Based on a literature review, a new freeze-thaw testing setup was developed. In addition, a test protocol was developed for freeze-thaw testing. Soils collected from different parts of South Korea and bedding sand used for block pavements were tested to determine whether the measurements from the newly developed test setup could capture important freeze-thaw characteristics of the soils. Finally, to develop local frost susceptibility criteria, a parameter including both the vertical deformation and thermal conductivity characteristics of the soils was suggested. RESULTS : The results from the laboratory experiments indicate that the newly developed freeze-and-thaw setup captures the required parameters to quantify the responses of soils subjected to cyclic freeze-and-thaw testing. In addition, a vertical deformation of up to 2.437 mm is measured. Moreover, seven soils out of the nine tested soils are classified as having a medium frost susceptibility, whereas the remaining two show low frost susceptibility. The bedding sand experiment also shows that there is a possibility of having a frost susceptible condition based on the moisture content. When submerged, the bedding sand is classified as having a medium frost susceptibility. CONCLUSIONS : The "HEART" freeze-thaw testing setup was able to capture the parameters required for evaluating the frost susceptibility of soils. This setup and testing procedure could be further used to test and prepare criteria for classifying the frost susceptibility of soils found in South Korea.