A review and reliability assessment of frost penetration models

Abstract

Frost penetration in pavements and subgrade can lead to frost heave and thaw weakening, and hence influences bearing capacity of roads during winter and spring thaw. Several models of frost penetration have been developed based on energy and mass (specifically, water) balances at the surface and within the pavement structure. This describes a review of frost penetration models used in pavement design. It also includes an overview of major field studies and their use to validate frost penetration models. This forms the basis for the reliability assessment of the models and their advantages and disadvantages for predicting frost penetration.