Figure 8.9 shows the air temperature together with the volumetric water content at Dyrastadir in Nordurardalur in SW Iceland during spring thaw, monitored through an environmental program run by the Public Roads Administration in Iceland. One can clearly see that as the thawing period starts in early March the water content increases, initially close to the surface and later at greater depth, before it slowly reverts back to normal values. As the water content affects the stiffness of the structure as well as the permanent deformation characteristics, increased deterioration or damage is expected at the high water content if no axle load limitations are applied.
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Fig. 8.9 Volumetric water content (right scale) during a spring thaw period for a thin pavement structure with an granular base course. The air temperature is also shown, top, as well as a cross section through the low volume pavement structure |
