Performance of Wicking Geotextile for Flexible Pavements Built over Frost Susceptible Soils

This study investigates the performance of wicking geotextiles in flexible pavements subjected to freeze-thaw cycles and traffic loading. A combination of field experiments and mechanistic-empirical modeling was employed to assess the structural behavior of pavements with and without geosynthetic reinforcement. Test sections were constructed at MnROAD, an interstate highway in Minnesota, with one section utilizing wicking geotextiles and another serving as a control. The analysis included detailed calibration of seasonal modulus multipliers using finite element modeling (ABAQUS) and the MnPAVE software to account for stress and moisture variations. Field monitoring data showed that the volumetric moisture content (VMC) in the wicking geotextile section was consistently lower than in the control section, particularly during thawing periods. The maximum VMC reached 20.6% in the control section, compared to 19.2% in the wicking geotextile section, with a long-term reduction of 2.4% in the reinforced section. Mechanistic-empirical pavement modeling further demonstrated that incorporating wicking geotextiles improves pavement longevity. The control section exhibited a remaining fatigue life of 18 years and a rutting life of 10 years. In contrast, the geotextile-reinforced section showed an extended fatigue life of 23 years and a rutting life of 16 years. The findings highlight the potential of wicking geotextiles in mitigating moisture-related pavement deterioration and improving freeze-thaw resilience.