United States Department of Transportation
i
Water vapor movement in freezing aggregate base materials.
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2014-06-01
[PDF-42.63 MB]
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Abstract:The objectives of this research were to 1) measure the extent to which water vapor movement results in
water accumulation in freezing base materials; 2) evaluate the effect of soil stabilization on water vapor movement
in freezing base materials; 3) determine if the corresponding changes in water content are sufficient to cause frost
heave during winter; 4) determine if the corresponding changes in water content are sufficient to cause reductions in
stiffness during spring; 5) evaluate relationships between selected material properties, freezing conditions, and the
occurrence and impact of water vapor movement; and 6) numerically simulate heat and water movement in selected
pavement design scenarios. The research involved extensive laboratory and field testing, statistical analyses, and
numerical modeling. For a pavement section with a base layer underlain by a capillary barrier, water vapor
movement may be expected to increase the water content of the base layer by 1 to 3 percent during a typical winter
season in northern Utah, with the effect of stabilization depending on the soil properties. Accumulation of water
from long-term water vapor movement into a frost-susceptible base material can lead to frost heave of the base layer
as it approaches saturation but may not cause measurable increases in thaw weakening of the base layer during
spring. Because water in the base layer cannot drain until nearly reaching positive pore pressures, only non-frostsusceptible
base materials should be specified for use in cold climates in conjunction with capillary barriers, and the
base material should be assumed to remain in a saturated condition during the entire service life of the pavement.
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