This study presents a mechanics-based framework for evaluating the performance of asphalt pavements subjected to annual ground surface deformations induced by frost heave and thaw settlement. Within this framework, a novel thaw settlement model is developed and coupled with a thermomechanical frost heave model to represent the heaving and subsequent thawing behavior of the soil beneath pavements. In the proposed thaw settlement model, excess water generated during the melting of ice lenses is introduced as a damage parameter within a continuum mechanics formulation, resulting in a reduction of material stiffness. The frost heave–thaw settlement model is further coupled with a thermodynamics-based asphalt damage model to capture the progressive degradation of asphalt layers. The capabilities of the proposed framework are demonstrated through two study scenarios: (i) uniform frost heave and thaw settlement occurring across the entire subgrade layer. (ii) non-uniform frost heave and thaw settlement localized within a specific region of the subgrade. The results show that the proposed framework not only captures damage in the asphalt layer but also predicts temperature distributions, ice formation, and water content during freeze–thaw cycles. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that uniform heaving and settlement cause relatively minor asphalt damage but lead to surface unevenness, whereas non-uniform frost heave and settlement result in both surface irregularities and severe damage to the asphalt layer.

Asphalt materials deteriorate when used in pavements due to their continuous exposure to traffic loads and other degrading mechanisms. This paper presents an experimental investigation to capture the initiation and evolution of damage in asphalt mixtures under compressive loads, in which the material degradation is attributed to the viscoelastic energy. In order to study the influence of temperature on degradation of asphalt materials, the test is conducted at four distinct temperatures: 10C, 0C, 20C, and 40C. The obtained experimental data reveal that, at lower temperatures, the viscoelastic energy threshold required to initiate damage in the asphalt specimens considerably increases. Furthermore, the results highlight the significant impact of temperature on damage evolution in asphalt materials. This study also identifies a critical damage threshold, beyond which the rate of damage evolution experiences a substantial increase. Notably, the critical damage threshold is lower at colder temperatures.

Roads are exposed to various degradation mechanisms during their lifetime. The pavement deterioration caused by the surrounding environment is particularly severe in winter when the humidity and subfreezing temperatures prevail. Frost heave-induced damage is one of the winter-related pavement deterioration. It occurs when the porewater in the soil is exposed to freezing temperatures. The study of frost heave requires conducting a multiphysics analysis, considering the thermal, mechanical, and hydraulic fields. This paper presents the use of a coupled thermo-mechanical approach to simulate frost heave in saturated soils. A function predicting porosity evolution is implemented to couple the thermal and mechanical field analyses. This function indirectly considers the effect of the water seepage inside the soil. Different frost heave scenarios with uniform and non-uniform boundary conditions are considered to demonstrate the capabilities of the method. The results of the simulations indicate that the thermo-mechanical model captures various processes involved in the frost heave phenomenon, such as water fusion, porosity variation, cryogenic suction force generation, and soil expansion. The characteristics and consequences of each process are determined and discussed separately. Furthermore, the results show that non-uniform thermal boundaries and presence of a culvert inside the soil result in uneven ground surface deformations.

The cold climate in presence of moisture is a recognized condition that can result in deterioration of the asphalt pavement. Of damages ascribed to the cold and wet climate those caused by frost heave appears as severe and usually permanent cracks on the asphalt layer, localized upward deformations, or longitudinal waves. To simulate the frost heave-induced damage in asphalt pavements, a material damage model representing the mechanistic behavior of the asphalt material needs to be coupled with a frost heave model. In this study, the frost action inside the soil is simulated by implementing a thermomechanical approach where the porosity evolution function takes into account the water seepage inside the soil. On the other hand, considering the brittle behavior of the asphalt material in low temperatures, a viscoelastic damage model developed within the thermodynamics framework is used to simulate its mechanical behavior. The coupled frost heave and viscoelastic damage models are employed in a case study scenario to capture damages caused by frost heave in the asphalt layer. The results indicate that using the proposed approach provides an opportunity to simulate physical processes involved in frost action inside the soil, determine the ground surface deformations, and capture the subsequent damages in the asphalt layer. 

Roads are subjected to various deteriorating mechanisms during their lifespan. The effects of the environment and climate on pavement deterioration are particularly severe in winter when humidity and subfreezing temperatures prevail. Of damages ascribed to winter conditions, frost heave occurs when the porewater in the soil is subjected to freezing temperatures. The study of frost heave requires conducting a multiphysics analysis including the thermal field, the mechanical field, and the hydraulic field. In the current study, a coupled thermo-mechanical approach is used to simulate frost heave in saturated soils. To couple the thermal and mechanical field analyses, a function predicting porosity evolution is implemented. This function implicitly takes into account the effect of the hydraulic field by ascertaining the consequence of water seepage inside the soil. To show the capabilities of the method, different case study scenarios with uniform and non-uniform boundary conditions are considered. The results of the simulations indicate that the thermo-mechanical model captures various processes involved in the frost heave phenomenon such as water fusion, porosity variation, cryogenic suction force generation, soil expansion, etc. The characteristics and consequences of each process are determined and discussed separately. Furthermore, it is shown that non-uniform thermal boundaries result in uneven ground surface deformations.