Seasonal Variation of Moisture and Subsurface Layer Moduli

In 1995 the Montana Department of Transportation initiated a study on the seasonal variation of pavement strength, with an emphasis on spring thawing. Ten sites representing a cross section of Montana subgrade soil and pavement structure were selected and instrumented with moisture and temperature sensors. Field measurements of surface deflections, moistures, and temperatures were initiated in autumn 1996 and continued through the spring of 1997. The moisture and deflection data were used to determine the thaw-weakening characteristics of the sites and to develop subgrade modulus values for use in the future design of pavement structures using AASHTO mechanistic design methodology. Results indicated that in several areas not only the subgrade but also the base course layers were prone to thaw weakening. The length of thaw weakening varied from 4 days to a 3-week period. In addition, it was found that in almost all cases the subsurface moisture content began to increase rapidly when the subsurface temperature rose to around–2°C during the spring. In some cases it was found that when the subsurface temperature finally warmed to 0°C, the moisture content had reached its prefreeze value. This research provides a general description of the test sites and measurements; it quantifies the effects of thaw weakening on typical roads in Montana based on deflection and surface and subsurface moisture and temperature.