Mechanistic-empirical design method for unpaved roads in cold climates based on risk assessment

Canada’s extensive network of unpaved roads plays a key role in the country’s economy and is vital to industries such as mining, agriculture, forestry, and energy. These essential transportation infrastructures do not receive significant research interest and have experienced accelerated deterioration in the past decades, resulting in an increased need for frequent maintenance and costs. Existing management systems do not integrate all risk and uncertainty due to a lack of understanding, hindering resource optimization. In addition, empirical design methods for unpaved roads have limitations concerning evolving load effects and climatic conditions. The standard implementation process risk assessment follows a normative process. It begins with hazard identification and continues with risk assessment. This allows for recognizing and anticipating hazards and impacts, enabling better decisions. Knowing which risks have the most significant impact will support management for resilient structures, resource use, and solutions, such as the distance between resources. This research project proposes a risk assessment tool and integrates it into an unpaved road design method using a mechanistic-empirical approach. This approach considers materials’ response and behavior under different load characteristics and climate. The tools are intended to support decision-making for designers and managers responsible for unpaved road networks.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jean-Pascal Bilodeau

Student:

Partner:

FPInnovations (Pointe-Claire, QC)

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Agriculture; Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Université Laval

Program: