Impact of winter temperature extremes on pavement temperature and moisture distribution characteristics

In order to identify the impact of winter temperature extremes on pavement temperature and moisture distribution characteristics, winter weather in Harbin was selected as study object. The distribution characteristics of winter temperature extreme indices were analyzed. The threshold value for each index with its 95% confidential level was proposed. Based on the study above, experiments were carried out based on collected data in order to investigate the impacts of winter temperature extremes on pavement temperature and moisture distribution characteristics. The results show that both minimum temperature extreme and average minimum temperature extreme for 5 days have significant impact on the pavement temperature distribution and frozen depth. Temperature near pavement surface is easier to be affected by cooling rate of extreme. Additionally, pavement moisture distribution varies sharply in freezing-thawing days. Freezing-thawing days with extreme induce the repeated movements in the moisture content, which will lead to the aggravation of freeze-thaw damage.