Degradation experienced by asphalt road mixes during periiods of freeze-thaw events : Analysis of field cases and exploratory laboratory research

In light of the damage witnessed on France?s road network over the past winters, network managers and the scientific community have been seeking to understand the phenomena at play in order to prevent against such degradation. The research undertaken between 2006 and 2009 by the 'water-freezing' working group as part of LCPC?s Fondephy research project1 has allowed for an in-depth investigation of a few field cases and the generation of leads for future studies regarding the damage mechanisms capable of taking place over both the long and short term. Among these mechanisms, the phenomenon of sliding, recently observed on the Nantes pavement fatigue carrousel, has been noted between wearing course and foundation layer; this finding has altered the generally held perception of pavement operations specific to the overlaying of bituminous layers and may justify a fatigue occurring over the upper part of the pavement, exacerbated at higher temperature. From another perspective, the phenomenon of swelling of frozen asphalt mixes exposed to partial water saturation could also be explored thanks to recent observations during laboratory experiments that had been inspired from soil freezing/thawing test campaigns. This mechanism may give rise to the sudden appearance of potholes at the pavement surface when exposed to winter weather conditions.

• Authors:
  • MAUDUIT, Valéry
  • MAUDUIT, Caroline
  • VULCANO GREULLET, Nelly
  • COULON, Nathalie
  • HAMMOUM, Ferhat
  • DAVID, Hamon
  • KERZREHO, Jean Pierre
  • PIAU, Jean Michel
  • CHABOT, Armelle
• Publication Date: 2013

Language

• French

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: pp 47-63
• Serial:
  • Bulletin des Laboratoires des Ponts et Chaussées
  • Issue Number: 279

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Frost damage
• ITRD Terms: 5278: Degat par le gel

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01497645
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Institut Francais des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l'Aménagement et des Réseaux (IFSTTAR)
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Nov 7 2013 11:48AM