Assessing the Chloride Impacts on the Pavement Structure

Winter maintenance in Minnesota relies heavily on chloride-based deicing agents to maintain roadway safety during snow and ice events. These salts infiltrate pavement structures, increase moisture retention in aggregate layers, alter freeze–thaw behavior, and accelerate surface and subsurface deterioration. Over time, chloride-induced damage reduces granular equivalent (GE) strength, shortens pavement service life, and increases maintenance costs. This research will characterize chloride transport and retention in pavement layers; quantify impacts on moisture conditions, stiffness, and GE strength; and assess the performance of asphalt, concrete, and granular layers under chloride exposure. The work will include a targeted agency survey, representative site investigations, field sampling, and laboratory testing.

Language

  • English

Project

  • Status: Active
  • Funding: $169,094.00
  • Contract Numbers:

    1058102 WO#3

  • Sponsor Organizations:

    Local Road Research Board

    395 John Ireland Boulevard
    St. Paul, Minnesota  United States  55155-1899
  • Managing Organizations:

    MnDOT Research & Innovation

    Minnesota Department of Transportation
    395 John Ireland Blvd
    St. Paul, Minnesota  United States  55155
  • Performing Organizations:

    Michigan Technological University, Houghton

    University Transportation Center for Materials in Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure (UTC-MiSTI)
    1400 Townsend Drive, 301 Dillman Hall
    Houghton, MI  United States  49931
  • Principal Investigators:

    Dai, Qingli (Barbara)

  • Start Date: 20260722
  • Expected Completion Date: 20281231
  • Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01999675
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: Minnesota Department of Transportation
  • Contract Numbers: 1058102 WO#3
  • Files: RIP, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Aug 19 2026 10:08AM