REGULATION OF THE WATER-HEAT REGIME OF THE SUBGRADE OF CEMENT-CONCRETE ROAD

Abstract

Cement concrete pavements are widely used due to their numerous advantageous characteristics, making them a preferred choice for modern highway infrastructure. The popularity of these pavements stems from their exceptional durability, enabling them to withstand the constant stresses imposed by heavy vehicular traffic. However, the issue of preserving concrete pavements during their operation in various sharply continental climatic conditions remains open and requires further research and solutions. This study presents the investigation of the influence of the thermal conductivity of road materials. The pavements are considered an independent research object under the influence of operational environmental factors. According to the results of the study, the correlation between the moisture content of the soil and its thermal conductivity was presented, indicating that with increasing moisture content, the thermal conductivity rises. However, this process is suspended with an increasing moisture content of 14% and above. Thus, the calculation of temperatures of pavement layers and subgrade soils can be based on the scheme of stationary heat exchange. Accounting for thermal conductivity enables informed decisions regarding the optimization of a road design for specific climatic and traffic conditions, ultimately creating safer and more durable roads.