Use of H2Ri Wicking Fabric to Prevent Frost Boils in the Dalton Highway Beaver Slide Area, Alaska

Many roads in Alaska, such as the Dalton Highway, experience degradation during spring thaw due to the downslope running of shallow groundwater. The water flows down the slope and pools up in the road embankments, where it freezes, causing frost boils and subsequent road damage. One good example of this damage occurred at Beaver Slide, near mile 110.5 of the Dalton Highway. The frost boils have resulted in extremely unsafe driving conditions and frequent accidents. Past repair efforts indicate conventional road construction methods do not work. The Mirafi Nylon Wicking Fabric, developed by Tencate Geosynthetics (North America), offers a potential solution. Featuring high specific surface area and high permeability, preliminary laboratory tests of MNWF indicate that it has great promise as a cost-effective means to solve the frost boil problems on northern road systems. This proposed project aims to verify the theory, testing MNWF at Beaver Slide using moisture and temperature sensors to gather measurements for one year. Upon evaluation, researchers expect improved performance of pavement at installation sites. Data will be gathered regarding soil properties at the site; observed thermal and moisture changes and pavement performance over a one-year period; analysis of frost boil mechanisms; and evaluation of MNWF effectiveness to mitigate frost boil problems. Research results may lead to incorporation of MNWF in the geotechnical engineering curriculum at University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Further, recommendations developed from the research will be useful in ensuring a reliable and economic design of roads in arctic environments.

• Record URL:
  https://scholarworks.alaska.edu/bitstream/handle/11122/7552/X.Zhang-et-al_H2Ri-Wicking-Fabric-to-Prevent-Frost-Boils_Final-12.23.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program. Date on cover: December 2012.
• Corporate Authors:

  Alaska University Transportation Center

  University of Alaska, Fairbanks
  P.O. Box 755900
  Fairbanks, AK  United States  99775-5900

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Zhang, Xiong
  • Presler, Wendy
• Publication Date: 2012-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 111p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Embankments; Freeze thaw durability; Frost heaving; Geosynthetics; Highway maintenance; Moisture content; Sensors
• Identifier Terms: Dalton Highway
• Geographic Terms: Alaska
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I26: Water Run-off - Freeze-thaw; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01516379
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: INE/AUTC 12.23
• Contract Numbers: DTRT06-G-0011; AUTC#510020/ RR10.02
• Files: UTC, TRIS, RITA, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 28 2014 1:32PM