## 1 Introduction  
The construction industry faces significant challenges due to adverse weather conditions, which can profoundly impact project timelines and costs. Approximately 45% of construction projects globally experience disruptions caused by weather events, leading to billions of dollars in additional costs annually. These challenges are intensified by certain factors, such as the need to halt earthwork in subfreezing temperatures, adding complexity to projects [1, 2, 3]. One specific phenomenon is the freeze-thaw (F-T) effect, particularly affecting road construction projects. The F-T effect poses a threat during cold weather, potentially causing delays or even halting the project to prevent complications related to freezing and thawing. This underscores the industry's ongoing struggle with the limitations imposed by unfavorable weather conditions, especially in subfreezing temperatures. The interruptions not only contribute to project delays but also increase costs as construction professionals navigate the complexities introduced by adverse weather, further emphasizing the need for effective strategies to mitigate weather-related risks in construction [4, 5]. F-T cycles significantly alter the soil properties crucial for engineering applications, especially in geotechnical and road construction [6]. They pose risks to embankment soils' stability [7] and durability, particularly in regions with mid-high latitudes and high altitudes, inducing substantial changes in geotechnical properties [8, 9]. Research spanning six decades, particularly since the 1950s in the United States and Canada, has revealed how these cycles impact soil structure [10]. They disrupt soil stability and permeability by causing desiccation cracks, increasing pore space, and challenging water retention and drainage. Additionally, F-T cycles reduce soil strength and cohesion, making it more susceptible to erosion and runoff [11; 12; 13]. Furthermore, F-T cycles trigger volume and density changes in susceptible soil, a significant factor in soil embankment damage. Loose soils contract in volume, while dense soils expand, intensifying the risk to soil structures [14; 15]. The phenomenon also accelerates weathering processes, leading to structural failures, such as uneven frost heave [16], thaw subsidence [17], compromised foundation integrity [18], and slope destabilization [19]. Material properties, including stress-strain behavior, failure strength, shear strength, and elastic modulus, exhibit variability under the influence of F-T cycles. Research by [PERSON] et al. [20] highlighted a reduction in both the strength and durability index of soft soils subjected to cyclic F-T processes. Similarly, [PERSON] et al. [21] observed a decrement in the resilient modulus of expansive soils with increasing F-T cycles, thereby affecting their deformation characteristics [21]. Given the intricate effects of F-T cycles, meticulous consideration of engineering design is crucial, especially concerning the unsuitability of fine-grained soils for construction with regard to their low bearing capacity and shear strength [22; 23]. To lessen the adverse effects of F-T cycles on the mechanical properties of soil, the traditional method involves mixing these soils with cement [24] or lime [25; 26]. Additionally, scientists have conducted extensive research to explore non-traditional additives to minimize the damage in recent years. These include using fly ash [27], alkali-activated volcanic ash, and slag [28], biological approaches such as microbial-induced biopolymers [29], phase change material (PCM) [30], recycled ash along with natural fibers [31], mixing fibers with cement and soil [32], employing chemicals and polymers like polyacrylamide (PAM) [33], utilizing recycled materials [20; 34], or incorporating materials such as rice husk ash [35].