Citation

Takeichi K, Kubo H, Kasahara A. Transp. Res. Rec. 1987; 1106: 237-243.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A pavement design method is described for low-volume roads in the cold and snowy regions of Japan. The replacement thickness required to prevent frost heave is greater than the thickness necessary to bear heary vehicles. Pavement costs are higher in cold regions than in the milder regions of southern Japan. Cost-effective pavement structures are proposed for low-volume roads under the traffic classifications and weather conditions of the cold and snowy regions. Special attention is paid to pavement design and antifrost replacement thickness. Pavement thickness is determined by the number of 5-ton (50-kN) equivalent wheel loads in one direction that are expected during the design period and the design CBR of the subgrade. The lowest of five traffic volume classifications, L, specifies a total of 30,000 passes by 5-ton (50-kN) equivalent wheel loads in one direction. The pavement structure for the L classification, which applies to low-volume roads with few heavy vehicles, is overestimated. There are four classifications for low-volume roads with recommended pavement structures. Weather conditions and traffic volume are very important factors in the pavement design of low-volume roads that are covered with packed snow. The depth of frost penetration on these roads is less than that of bare pavements because of the insulating effect of the snow layer. Therefore, because the insulating effect of snow can be expected, the thickness of the antifrost layer can be reduced when the pavement is replaced. In order to practically apply this design procedure, the following work must be performed. The earliest date at which snow continuously covers the pavement must be estimated, the freezing index of the earliest date and the total freezing index must be determined from meteorological records of the project area, and the thermal constants of the packed snow layer and pavement materials must be calculated. It was found that more cost-effective pavement designs of low-volume roads are possible in cold and snowy regions when the insulating effects of the packed-snow layer are considered.

Record URL:
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1987/1106v1/1106v1-031.pdf


TRT Terms: Cost effectiveness; Electric insulating materials; Frigid regions; Frost; Frost heaving; Insulating materials; Low volume roads; Pavement design; Pavements; Prevention; Snow cover; Thickness; Traffic volume; Weather
Uncontrolled Terms: Frost penetration; Pavement thickness
Geographic Terms: Japan
Old TRIS Terms: Antifrost effects; Frost heave; Packed snow
Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; Security and Emergencies; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Language: en

Keywords

PAVEMENTS; ROADS AND STREETS - Cold Weather Problems; SNOW AND SNOWFALL - Thermal Conductivity