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Pavements 2026

Characteristics of Pavement Materials

When Foundations Get Wet: Strength, Durability, and Modulus of Pavement Base Materials

Durability Assessment of Cement-Stabilized Clayey Sand Subjected to Coupled Freeze–Thaw and Wet–Dry Cycles

Tuesday, June 30, 2026
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM East Coast USA Time
Abstract: Seasonal freeze-thaw (FT) and wet-dry (WD) cycles strongly influence the performance and longevity of stabilized subgrade soils by inducing structural and mineralogical changes. This study investigates the mechanical and microstructural evolution of cement-stabilized clayey sand subjected to cyclic FT, WD, freeze–thaw–wet–dry (FTWD), and wet–dry–freeze–thaw (WDFT) sequences. Soil specimens stabilized with 7% and 9% cement were compacted at optimum moisture content and exposed to 0, 4, and 8 environmental cycles. For the coupled cycles, two drying conditions were employed: oven drying at 70°C and desaturation at air drying. The air-dry condition was incorporated to simulate better field-relevant moisture retention typically observed in cold regions before freezing. Volume change and mass loss were recorded after each stage to evaluate the durability and structural stability of the specimens. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and resilient modulus (MR) tests were performed to evaluate mechanical response, while void ratio and degree of saturation were measured to characterize volumetric changes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis identified enhanced formation of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) and calcium aluminate hydrate (C–A–H) phases after moderate cycling, whereas scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed matrix disintegration after extended exposure. The UCS and MR increased after four cycles due to densification and secondary cementation, but declined after eight cycles as repeated freeze–thaw and wet–dry actions led to microcracking and bond degradation. Specimens under air-dry conditions (FTWDe and WDeFT) consistently exhibited lower UCS than those under oven-dry conditions, highlighting the detrimental effects of retained moisture on cement hydration and freeze-induced expansion. The findings demonstrate that drying intensity and cycle sequencing are key factors governing the mechanical durability and microstructural integrity of cement-stabilized subgrades under complex climatic conditions.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can expect to learn the following from this session:
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to describe how seasonal freeze–thaw and wet–dry cycles affect the mechanical performance and microstructural integrity of cement-stabilized subgrade soils.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to identify the effects of drying intensity (oven-dry vs. air-dry) and cycle sequencing (FTWD vs. WDFT) on unconfined compressive strength of stabilized soils.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to interpret and relate the void ratio and degree of saturation of cement-treated soils under cyclic environmental conditions.