1. INTRODUCTION

It is well recognized that pavements subjected to frost effects have different service lives as compared to similar pavements that are not subjected to frost effects. However, there is a need to better understand the failure mechanisms (particularly the impact of multiple FTCs as compared to deep frost penetration) and how they are mitigated by various compensatory strategies implemented throughout the pavement community. Observably, deep frost penetration and extensive frost-thaw cycles have a pronounced effect on the service pavements provide. There has been very limited research on quantifying the effect frost has on pavement performance, as well as on the cost of that effect on reduced service life and the additional costs to maintain those pavements in serviceable condition. This study will help provide some insight into the total cost of frost action as it applies to pavement performance and service life, considering both deep-frost conditions and moderate-frost conditions with multiple FTCs.

Following is a list of project’s research objectives:

• Quantify the effect of seasonal frost penetration on the rate of loss of pavement performance for environments where deep, sustained frost penetration occurs, and for environments where multiple shallow FTCs occur.
• Establish the extent to which local adaptations of materials standards and pavement thickness designs have compensated for or mitigated the effect of seasonal frost penetration.
• Determine financial effects associated with freeze-thaw mitigation in the construction and rehabilitation of pavements.

In addition to the objectives listed above, the use of the models developed for the project in PMS applications and NCHRP 1-37A Guide design procedures was explored.

This study was structured with two phases. The first phase consisted of six tasks that essentially confirmed that the project could be accomplished with the data available. Phase 2 consisted of an analysis of the data collected. Work conducted in phase 1, and the resulting findings were used to tailor analysis conducted in phase 2.

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