Assessing the Effects of Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Traffic Load on Pavement Resilience

Omar Ben Charhi; Khadija Baba; Latifa Ouadif

doi:10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-04-024

Authors

Omar Ben Charhi
omar_bencharhi@um5.ac.ma
Civil Engineering and Environment Laboratory (LGCE), Mohammadia Engineering School, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat,, Morocco
Khadija Baba Civil Engineering and Environment Laboratory (LGCE), Mohammadia Engineering School, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat,, Morocco
Latifa Ouadif Laboratory of Applied Geophysics, Geotechnics, Engineering Geology, and Environmental (L3GIE), Mohammadia Engineering School, Mohammed V University in Rabat,, Morocco

Vol. 11 No. 4 (2025): April

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This study examines the impact of freeze-thaw cycles on the performance of flexible pavements, focusing on a specific road in Morocco. The primary objectives are assessing pavement resilience under varying climatic conditions and investigating the combined effects of freeze-thaw cycles, traffic speed (ranging from V1 to V4), and temperature fluctuations (from T1 min to T2 max) on pavement durability and structural integrity. The methodology involves comprehensive data collection on traffic loads, local climate conditions, and soil characteristics. These data inform the pavement design process, helping determine the optimal thickness and selection of materials to withstand environmental stresses. The study also examines the effects of freeze-thaw cycles, assessing frost-resistant materials and comparing frost indices to enhance durability. Advanced modeling techniques simulate pavement performance under real-world conditions, optimizing resilience. The methodology investigates the interaction between traffic speed and pavement behavior, focusing on strain (Îµ_z), displacement (U_z), and stress (Ïƒ_z). The findings reveal a significant correlation between freeze-thaw cycles and pavement deterioration, with strain and displacement increasing as traffic speed decreases while stress intensifies with higher traffic speeds. This research provides valuable insights into the effects of traffic speed on flexible pavements, contributing to more effective maintenance strategies and design solutions for durable, weather-resilient roadways.

Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-04-024

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Publication Start Year:	2015
JCR 2023 Impact Factor (IF):	4.3
JIF QUARTILE:	Q1
SJR 2023 Quartile:	Q1
Acceptance Rate:	27%
Review Speed (Average):	76 days
Issue Per Year:	12
Number of Volumes:	10
Number of Issues:	107
Number of Articles:	1552
Number of Reviewers:	3417
Number of Contributors:	3604
Contributing Countries:	86
No. of WoS Citations:	7986
WoS h-index:	34
Scopus CiteScore:	7.0
No. of Google Citations:	17324
Google h-index:	47
Google i10-index:	393
Abstract Views:	5,819,908
PDF Download:	3,790,637

Assessing the Effects of Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Traffic Load on Pavement Resilience

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