498
Views
29
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Gradation influence on frost susceptibility of base granular materials

, &
Pages 397-411 | Received 17 Oct 2007, Accepted 07 Jun 2008, Published online: 29 Oct 2008
 

Abstract

Base granular materials are generally considered non-frost susceptible, which is an adequate assumption based on widely recognised frost criterions. However, their frost susceptibility is influenced by the presence of water that can unavoidably penetrate pavement structures. Even if unsaturated, freezing of unbound granular materials causes a net volume gain and an increase in water content which affect pavement performance during the spring period. This paper presents the results of a laboratory investigation on the effect of gradation on frost susceptibility, quantified with the segregation potential (SP), of three aggregate sources. The results suggest that SP values for all sources are strongly related to a fine particles state parameter. Moreover, the source influence was found to be described adequately with a parameter describing fine particles grain size distribution uniformity and fines specific surface. A model is proposed which combines gradation and mineralogical source effects on frost susceptibility of base granular materials.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the MTQ, Fond Québécois de Recherche sur la Nature et les Technologies (FQRNT) and Transport Association of Canada (TAC) for their financial support. The authors wish to acknowledge the technical contribution of laboratory technician Christian Juneau and the contribution of research assistants who took part in the sample preparation, characterisation and testing phase of this study.

Notes

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Guy Dore

1. 1. [email protected]

Pascale Pierre

2. 2. [email protected]

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.