The French conducted a thorough research program from 1969 to 1977 to produce design standards for building durable and non-frost susceptible roads. Based on this research, a frost heave simulation program was developed by "Laboratorie Central des Ponts et Chaussees" in France.
The intent of this research has been to investigate the possible use of this computer program as well as acquiring information and data concerning French soils that have been tested for frost heave.
A three-month research project was conducted on the frost heaving patterns of a culvert. Problems are typically encountered when such a culvert is placed under a road in a frost-susceptible soil. Major differential frost heaving is produced and has a negative effect on the structure of the road itself while creating a rough ride and reducing safety for road users. This project analyzes the performance over the winter period of several potential remedial designs. The goal is to find a design that will minimize the differential frost heave for the broadest possible conditions in terms of frost-susceptibility and of freezing pattern.
