The book gives a detailed narrative on the issues involved in pavement design, construction and maintenance within cold regions. Much of the work is also applicable to pavement engineering in other, less demanding climatic conditions, but is primarily aimed at explaining the specific issues involved when working in sparsely populated cold regions. The book contains many phrases and terminologies that may lead to confusion by engineers unfamiliar with North American terminology.
It presents a thorough description of all the issues involved including specific environmental considerations, pavement performance, materials testing and site investigation, mix and pavement design, and pavement maintenance. I found the text easy to read but it does require concentration, especially for the engineer who is unfamiliar with the more detailed elements of pavement engineering. The mathematics presented within the book should present the reader with few problems and where there are references to more detailed algorithms/programmes etc. the reader is directed to reference sources should he or she wish to look into the subject further.
I found the chapters on permafrost especially enlightening and although unlikely to work in cold regions on a regular basis, many of the thermal engineering principles do apply to more temperate climatic conditions although their consequences are significantly less.
The text highlights the cost issues of constructing pavements in cold regions in some detail and provides a balanced view of the need for specific techniques against the levels of usage the pavement is likely to receive over its lifetime. It also presents a view on the local political issues involved in providing a high-quality pavement that may increase its use against the desire to leave a remote area to its natural environment.
Much of the text is centred around the effects that freeze–thaw has on a pavement structure and there is a sizable contribution devoted to the likely effects of climate change on current design practice and the consequences it may have on new and existing pavement structures. I found the section on the growth of ice lenses within frost-susceptible soils and how water moves within the pavement–soil structure particularly interesting.
The book is thoroughly referenced and draws from experience gained worldwide and not solely from North America. It refers to practices from Northern Europe and China in particular, thereby giving a balanced view on many of the techniques presented. It is also well illustrated and includes a question-and-answer session at the end of each chapter for those wishing to test their knowledge and understanding following each dissertation.
Cold region pavement engineering is considered to be a specialist subject, which indeed it is; however, the regions cover substantial geographic areas including North America, northern Europe and northern Asia. This book gives an excellent insight into the specific issues to be addressed when designing pavements in these areas and should be of interest to any engineer who wishes to expand their experience outside areas which have more temperate climates.
