The use of drainage geocomposites in cold regions

Officine Maccaferri S.p.a., Bologna, Italy

^* Corresponding author: m.ferrara@maccaferri.com

Abstract

When designing road structures in cold climates, engineers must consider frost heave, a natural process that involves the cyclic freezing and thawing of water in soil or rock. The formation of ice lenses as water separates from the soil when the ground freezes is the primary cause of frost heave, and its effect on road structures depends largely on soil particle size. Frost heave damage is more noticeable in fine-textured soils that promote capillary uplift and is more destructive in the spring due to the influx of water from melting snow and ice. One possible solution to prevent road structure deformations caused by frost heave effects is the use of drainage geocomposites. Polymeric geocomposites have been widely studied and used worldwide in transportation infrastructure for drainage or as an anticapillarity layer. It is important to note that their performance is affected by temperature variations, and while many studies and regulations have focused on temperatures above 20°C, there is limited information available for cold climates.