United States Department of Transportation
i
Instrumentation and analysis of frost heave mitigation on WY-70, Encampment, WY.
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2014-05-01
[PDF-16.57 MB]
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Abstract:This project investigated a novel procedure to reduce or prevent subgrade freezing non-destructively by injecting a two-part polymer foam at
the top of the subgrade. Controlled injection of Uretek Star, expanding structural polymer foam, created a continuous three-inch thick layer
of insulation that significantly reduced the heat loss from the deeper soil and almost totally eliminated frost heave at a site on highway WY-
70, four and one-half miles west of Encampment, WY. The foam layer also prevented the upward movement of water from the warmer
regime under the foam to the upper frozen regime above the foam. This prevented any segregational freezing in the upper zone.
The two-year research project consisted of measuring pavement elevation changes along five 300-foot long lines over the heave area and
monitoring subsurface temperatures at six locations inside and outside of the injection zone. The construction time for the 100-foot section
was one week for injection and milling the surface. Construction was contained in one lane, leaving a lane open for the entire duration
without a detour, increasing safety and minimizing impact for the driving public.
Additionally, a procedure is developed for estimating the thickness of the foam layer required for other sites with different average
temperatures.
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