Freeze-thaw impacts on geocell-stabilized bases considering effects of water supply and compaction

Although Novel Polymeric Alloy (NPA) geocells have been applied to stabilize road bases against the freeze-thaw (F-T) damage in practice, the relevant research lags the application. A scarcity of research has been reported to comprehensively evaluate the benefits of geocell stabilization in enhancing the F-T performance of bases. This study aims to investigate quantitatively the F-T performance of geocell-stabilized bases, focusing on two influencing factors-i.e., water supply and degree of compaction in the bases. A series of model-scale experimental tests (19 tests) was conducted using an upgraded customized apparatus. The results showed that the inclusion of geocells was beneficial for reducing frost heave and thaw settlement as well as mechanical properties (i.e., stiffness and ultimate bearing capacity) of road bases. The benefit of geocells was more remarkable for the well compacted bases than for the poorly compacted bases. The benefit was more pronounced in the open system than in the closed system. • Model tests were done to study - F-T responses of geocell-stabilized bases considering effect of water supply and compaction. • The use of geocells increased the stiffness of bases by approximately 40%–90% after five F-T cycles. • The use of geocells increased the ultimate bearing pressure of bases by approximately 80%–110% after five F-T cycles.