EFFECT OF A GEOTEXTILE ON WATER MIGRATION AND FROST HEAVE IN A LARGE-SCALE TEST BASIN

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a needle-punched polyester geotextile on moisture migration and frost heave during freezing and thawing in a large test basin. In the past, nonwoven polypropylene geotextiles have been effective in reducing frost heave in laboratory tests. In this case, a needle-punched polyester geotextile separator was monitored for its influence on frost heave and soil moisture tension for four freeze-thaw cycles in a large test basin. Results from freezing tests in the test basin without a water table and with a water table present 12.7 cm below the fabric suggest that use of the fabric results in greater frost heave. When the water table was above the fabric, the fabric had no influence on frost heave or water distribution in the soil. Laboratory tests indicate that the separator had no effect on frost heave. Tensiometer data in the test basin indicate that lateral transmission of water through the fabric may have occurred, so transmission of water from thawed soil to freezing soil may have contributed to increased frost heave. It is concluded that if a geotextile is used in frost-susceptible soil, proper drainage and the correct fabric type must be used to prevent increased frost heave. The role of geotextile surface properties is important and their influence on moisture migration should be investigated further.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1991/1307/1307-035.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=EFFECT+OF+A+GEOTEXTILE+ON+WATER+MIGRATION+AND+FROST+HEAVE+IN+A+LARGE-SCALE+TEST+BASIN&author=S.+Shoop&author=K.+Henry&publication_year=1991
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309051177
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1307, Pavement Analysis, Design, Rehabilitation, and Environmental Factors 1991. 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
• Authors:
  • Shoop, Sally A
  • Henry, Karen S
• Publication Date: 1991

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 309-318
• Monograph Title: Pavement analysis, design, rehabilitation, and environmental factors, 1991
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1307
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Freezing; Frost heaving; Geotextiles; Moisture content; Motion; Polyester resins; Testing; Thaw; Water table
• Uncontrolled Terms: Freeze thaw cycles; Moisture movement
• Old TRIS Terms: Frost heave
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Materials; I33: Other Materials used in Pavement Layers; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00621610
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309051177
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 30 1992 12:00AM