Determination of frost penetration in LTPP sections : final report

423864731999Final report; August 1997 to July 1998Cheryl Allen RichterPDFTech ReportFHWA/RD-99/088DTFH61-96-C-00003FrostPavement performanceSoil testsSubgrade (Pavements)Base course (Pavements)Subbase (Pavements)Freeze thaw testsAsphalt pavementsConcrete durabilityConcrete pavementsElectrical resistivityFrost penetrationPavement basesSoil testsSubgradesCanada;United StatesUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationAli, H. A.Tayabji, S. D.ERES Consultants, Inc.United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Infrastructure Research and DevelopmentNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATIONNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-Pavement Management and PerformanceFederal Highway AdministrationTo better understand the environmental factors and their effects on pavement performance, the Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) Seasonal Monitoring Program (SMP) was initiated during 1992. Sixty-four LTPP pavement sections were identified to be included in the SMP. These sections are monitored frequently to acquire data on seasonal variation in pavement conditions. As part of this program, work is being performed to identify and monitor the freeze state in the base, subbase, and subgrade at the SMP sections located in the freeze zone in the United States and Canada. This work makes use of temperature sensors and electrical resistivity techniques. The main goal of the study reported here was to determine frost penetration at the selected SMP sections. As part of the study, an interactive computer program, FROST, was developed to facilitate the interpretation of the electrical resistivity and temperature data. Analysis results include the freeze state at each electrical resistivity sensor and the frost penetration at each site. As part of the overall LTPP data analysis effort, it is expected that the information on the seasonal variation in the freeze state in the unbound base, subbase, and subgrade will be used to develop improved understanding of the seasonal variation in the load-carrying capacity of pavements and the subsequent effect on pavement performance