Evaluating Pavement Resilience to Freeze-Thaw Cycles Using Geocell and Geocomposite Reinforcements: A Two-Year Field Study

Freeze–thaw (F–T) cycles are a primary cause of pavement deterioration in regions with seasonal frost, as repeated freezing and thawing weaken pavement layers and reduce long-term performance. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events and irregular temperature fluctuations further complicate patterns of F–T cycles, accelerating degradation and increasing maintenance demands. This study presents a field investigation in Alberta, Canada, evaluating flexible pavements reinforced with geocell and geogrid–geotextile composite (geocomposite) systems under F–T conditions. To capture in situ behavior, both sections were equipped with thermocouples, moisture sensors, and earth pressure cells for continuous monitoring of load response, temperature, and moisture variations. Over two years, the test sections experienced two full F–T seasons with multiple intermittent cycles annually. Plate loading tests and continuous monitoring showed that both geocell- and geocomposite-stabilized pavements performed reliably under environmental stress. The results highlight the potential of geosynthetics to improve pavement resilience in frost-prone regions facing increasing climate variability.