Evolution of Pavement Winter Roughness

Abstract

The functional service level of roads is quantified in terms of roughness. This parameter considers every road surface defect that causes passenger vehicle discomfort. Roughness is measured by a quality index, the international roughness index (IRI). Roughness gives an overall appreciation of road profile quality without, however, permitting a deeper analysis. The overall value of the IRI does not discriminate between the two main factors responsible for winter deterioration of roughness: the subgrade differential heave and crack heaving (winter tenting). Differential heave is the result of variability in frost susceptibility of subgrade. This phenomenon can be detected by isolating the long wavelengths produced at the road surface from the longitudinal profile. Crack heaving is a superficial phenomenon greatly influenced by the application of deicing salts. By isolating the short wavelengths from the profile, it is possible to highlight the influence of this phenomenon on deterioration. The goal of this research is to establish, with the use of a filtering technique of road profile, the contribution of these two main factors to winter deterioration of roughness on five road sections in the Quebec City, Canada, area. This study will then allow for the development of a tool to determine the dominant factor for longitudinal profile deterioration and therefore the use of the best technique to rehabilitate roads.