Effect of Freeze–Thaw Cycling on Stress–Strain Characteristics and Volume Change of a Till Subjected to Repetitive Loading

Abstract

To assess benefits to be gained from increasing compaction specifications for subgrades, a laboratory program was performed to determine the effect of closed-system freeze–thaw cycling on resilient and residual strains, resilient moduli, and volume changes of till specimens that had been compacted to various densities and water contents and subjected to repetitive loading in a constant triaxial stress system.The study showed that if compaction of this soil was increased to a higher density at a lower water content, strains, modulus, and freeze–thaw effects would be improved to such an extent that a significant reduction in pavement structure would be possible. It also showed that the extent to which a reduction could be made was dependent on the ability of the subgrade to maintain the compaction density and water content throughout its design life.