Knowledge CentreTechnical Resources SearchConference PapersA Case Study on the Performance of High Load Polystyrene as Roadway Insulation in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

A Case Study on the Performance of High Load Polystyrene as Roadway Insulation in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Abstract

In 2008, The City of Edmonton reconstructed a portion of St. Albert Trail, a major arterial roadway in northwest Edmonton. The roadway passes under an existing Canadian National Railway trestle, where it encounters frost susceptible soils. Since there was the possibility that frost heaving could adversely affect the clearance height beneath the trestle, the reconstruction of the roadway incorporated high load extruded polystyrene insulation to prevent frost penetration and heaving of the roadway. The polystyrene insulation was placed below the pavement in thicknesses ranging from 50mm to 100mm. During construction, the City took the opportunity to instrument the roadway with several thermistor strings, placed both above and below the various thicknesses of insulation, as well at various depths in the native soil. The thermistor data was used to calibrate a finite element model developed in GeoStudio’s Temp/W. The resulting temperature model of the local soils and climatic conditions was used to predict frost penetration through the various thicknesses of insulation and the City’s standard roadway structures. This information will be used on future roadway projects, to optimize the thicknesses of insulation used on other roadways in the Edmonton area. This case study documents two and a half years of temperature profile monitoring, the development of the temperature model and some initial results. 

Conference Paper Details

Session title:
SUCCESSFUL MITIGATION OF FROST HEAVE
Author(s):
Christina Tatarniuk
Don Lewycky
Topics:
Environmental issues, Environmental legislation
Year:
2011