Deterioration Model for Pavements in Frost Conditions

Abstract

Pavements in cold climates are often subjected to transverse differential heaving. This phenomenon is the result of the more severe frost action under the unprotected road surface. It induces bending stresses in the pavement structure and ultimately causes longitudinal cracking at the pavement surface. A simple model to predict the initiation and the propagation rate of cracking induced by frost heave is proposed. The model is based on mechanistic principles and calibrated using field performance data. It can be used in designing and managing pavements in frost conditions.