Environmental Effects on the Application of Spring Load Restrictions on Low Volume Roads in Northern Ontario

Many jurisdictions throughout Canada and the United States utilize Spring Load Restriction (SLRs) on low volume roads to minimize the damage during spring thaw. The main objective of this research is to develop a SLR method for use in northern Ontario (the Lakehead University (LU) method). In order to achieve this objective a detailed review and assessment was conducted on three potential SLR methods for their use on low volume roads in northern Ontario. The three methods assessed were an empirically based approach developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), a semi-empirical approach developed by the University of Waterloo and a thermal numerically based method using the finite element code TEMP/W.;Pavement stiffness testing was conducted during the freezing and thawing seasons at the two sites using a Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD). The purpose of LWD testing was to examine the changes in pavement stiffness resulting from progressive freezing and thawing of the pavement structure. The results of the LWD testing indicate a significant decrease in pavement stiffness during pavement structure thawing between depths of 0.2 and 0.4 m. Based on these results and an extensive literature review, a 0.3 m threshold thawing depth was selected to trigger SLR application. LWD testing also indicated a slight increase in pavement stiffness within 2 weeks of complete pavement structure thawing. Using these results it was decided that, for this research, SLRs could be removed 7 days after complete pavement structure thawing.;During the calibration of the three SLR methods it was discovered that the Waterloo method requires significant adjustments to the frost and thaw depth algorithm coefficients at the onset of the thawing period. It was also determined that the accuracy of the thermal numerical modelling simulation is strongly associated with the boundary conditions used for the model.;The assessment of the three methods indicates that the Mn/DOT method can closely predict the SLR application date (within 1 to 2 days) and was less accurate in predicting the SLR removal date (within 6 to 9 days). The Waterloo and TEMP/W methods did not display the same degree of accuracy as the Mn/DOT method when used in a predictive mode.;Each of the methods was calibrated for two study sites, Highway 569 in northeastern Ontario and Highway 527 in northwestern Ontario. These methods were calibrated using historical data collected from these study sites including air temperature data and observed frost and thaw depths determined from thermistor measurements. The Highway 569 study site was calibrated for the 2005/2006, 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 seasons while the Highway 527 study site was calibrated for the 2008/2009 season only. The calibrated methods were then used to predict the application and removal dates for SLRs for the two sites for the 2009/2010 season.;Based on the LWD test results and the SLR calibration and prediction results, it was decided that the LU method should follow the Mn/DOT method and use threshold Cumulative Thawing Index (CTI) values representative of northern Ontario conditions as a trigger for application of the SLRs. In this method air temperatures are adjusted by reference temperatures which are then used to calculate a CTI. When the CTI exceeds a value corresponding to a 0.3 m pavement structure thawing depth, SLRs will be implemented. SLR removal will be based on average pavement structure thawing duration. Furthermore, LWD testing during the predicted thawing season will be used to further develop the method by qualifying pavement stiffness reductions during the onset of thaw and stiffness rebound after complete pavement structure thawing. Also, the TEMP/W thermal numerical model will be used as a tool to further refine the LU method through assessment of other pavement structures and environmental conditions.