Evaluation of insulated pavements to prevent frost damage

Abstract

Frost heaving is a constant burden on any facility in cold regions, causing accelerated deterioration of roadways and annual maintenance, leading to costly repairs. Insulated pavements have been demonstrated as cost effective in several civilian locations, and have shown exceptional resistance to compression and water absorption. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of insulated pavement in eliminating the impact of frost action on roadways for the purpose of reducing annual roadway maintenance and redefining the standards governing its application.An insulating layer of extruded polystyrene (XPS) was installed in a section of road at Fort McCoy, WI. The monthly temperature and moisture content gradients were compared between the insulated and non-insulated pavements. The change in elastic moduli was also compared between the two pavement sections over the 2017 -2018 winter freeze and spring thaw cycle. The insulating layer was shown to be effective in preventing frost from penetrating the subgrade. Temperatures remained above freezing in the subgrade throughout the winter. The vertical moisture gradient demonstrated minimal signs of frost penetration. The presence of a high water table beneath the test pavement sections are believed to have affected the strength of the subgrade, especially through the post spring thaw recovery period.

Assisting nickel agromining using sustainable amendments

“…More specifically, Hasanuzzaman et al (2023) demonstrated that A. nodosum extracts increased the Cd toxicity tolerance of plants, inducing an increase in plant biomass. BG treatment can also lead to improve growth, stress tolerance, yield, and nutrient uptake (Mondragón‐Valero et al, 2019; Pascoalino et al, 2021; Saa et al, 2015; Torres et al, 2015). In an experiment with regular applications (three times a month) of a boron‐based fertilizer such as the BG treatment, Esteves et al (2022) revealed a decrease of oxidative damage to the DNA due to abiotic stresses, which increased photosynthetic area and, consequently, yield.…”