Winter is a “hard” time for asphalt pavements, literally. Asphalt pavements are produced and constructed at high temperatures when the asphalt binder is a liquid so it can be easily mixed with the rocks and sand. During the spring, summer, and fall seasons, asphalt is flexible and stretchy in the warm weather, helping to prevent cracks from forming. However, as temperatures decrease during winter, the asphalt becomes harder and stronger, but also more brittle. Extreme cold temperatures can cause pavements to crack, but the most damage to pavements is caused by freeze-thaw cycles.
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