THE VAL GAGNE PAVEMENT INSULATION EXPERIMENT

Since the first successful treatment of a frost heave problem in 1966 using Sytrofoam HI brand (trademark of Dow Chemical, now called Dow Chemical Canada, Inc.) extruded polystyrene foam insulation, Ontario has used substantial quantities of insulation. However, knowledge of the performance of the insulation has been limited to sparsely documented observations of some sites where different types and amounts of insulation were used. In 1972 a joint experiment was launched by the Ministry and the Dow Chemical Inc. to construct, instrument, and observe the performance of pavement insulation at Val Gagne in Ontario. Three thicknesses of insulation and four different taper designs were used in the experiment. Winter temperature profiles, frost penetration depths, and frost heave measurements were observed during the winters of 1973-1977. The results of these observations were used to verify a two-dimensional finite element heat flow computer program intended for use in the design of insulation for controlling frost penetration. Although the program accurately predicts ground temperature for uninsulated situations and thinly insulated sections, changes in the program are needed to correct inaccuracies in predictions of ground temperatures when thick insulation is used. The results were also used to develop a set of frost penetration prediction curves for various thicknesses of insulation and for locations with different degree-days of freezing temperatures. These curves may be used to select the appropriate insulation thickness for any acceptable depth of frost penetration. Styrofoam insulation recovered from the test site after 5 years shows virtually no structural changes in thermal properties. (Author)

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1983/918/918-006.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=THE+VAL+GAGNE+PAVEMENT+INSULATION+EXPERIMENT&author=T.+Louie&author=W.+Phang&author=R.+Chisholm&publication_year=1983
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/030903561
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Frost Action. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Louie, T M
  • Phang, W A
  • Chisholm, R A
• Conference:
  • 62nd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia, United States
  • Date: 1983-1-17 to 1983-1-21
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 34-42
• Monograph Title: FROST ACTION ON TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 918
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer programs; Electric insulating materials; Finite element method; Freight traffic; Frost; Frost heaving; Heat flow; Insulating materials; Pavement performance; Polystyrene; Temperature; Thickness
• Uncontrolled Terms: Frost penetration
• Old TRIS Terms: Finite elements; Frost heave
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Geotechnology; Highways; Pavements; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00381785
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 030903561
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Mar 30 1984 12:00AM