Effect of Freeze-thaw Cycles and Deicing Fluids on Pavements

Abstract

Winter maintenance has a crucial role in the road management system in
Scandinavia. Transportation systems must allow the effective and efficient movement of
people and goods under all climatic conditions. Smooth and safe traffic conditions can be
achieved with different maintenance strategies. Deicers are widely used to avoid and remove
thin ice layers either on the airfields or roads pavements at low temperatures. Although their
immediate effect consists of a fast improvement of the pavement conditions, the amount of
chemicals, the freeze-thaw cycles and high summer temperatures can affect the performance
of the pavement surface.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of different deicing solutions on asphalt
mixtures. Two chemical agents have been selected: sodium chloride used on roads, and
potassium formate used on airfields to reduce the freezing point of the water present on the
asphalt surface. Solutions with different concentrations of each deicer have been chosen and
related with their effect on the asphalt material subjected to a predetermined number of
freeze-thaw cycles. Particle loss of the specimen, determined with the Cantabro test, has been
selected as an indicator to determine the deterioration of the mixture after several freeze-thaw
cycles while immersed in deicing solutions. Alterations of the bitumen have been measured
evaluating the performance grade of the retrieved bitumen.
Depending on the amount of chemical agent in the solution, and following results from the
Cantabro test and the performance grading of the bituminous binder, the alteration of the
asphalt material was determined. Abrasion and bitumen performance, determined as above
mentioned, are anticipated to be affected by the chemical action of the deicer.