The Stabilizer Grid itself can withstand freeze/thaw cycles. It is virtually indestructible! But, you are probably also wondering if it has any affect, positive or negative, to the base system during freeze/thaw cycles.
Freezing and thawing (expansion and contraction) in the base causes shifting because as one area contracts then a void is formed and surrounding materials will want to move into that void which then creates another void! It's a vicious cycle and the end result of any base material movement can adversely affect a normally level pavement. The Stabilizer Grid can minimize this phenomenon in two ways:
- The obvious one is that lateral movement is impossible because the aggregates are compacted into cells, they are not free to move laterally.
- Additionally, the grid is a matrix of connected cells that become a solid rigid mattress when filled and compacted with aggregates. Vertical pressure is substantially restricted because any upward pressure would meet the resistance of the entire mattress.
It is still important to remember that drainage is vital since it is the moisture in the system that expands and contracts due to extreme freeze/thaw cycles. Employing drainage techniques such as using washed aggregates as an infill material and installing drain pipes under the system will go a long way to preserving the integrity of any base system.
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