1. ENGINEERING UNDER SNOW AND ICE.
- Author
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REID, ROBERT L.
- Subjects
- *
BUILDING foundations , *CONSTRUCTION projects , *FROZEN ground , *BEARING capacity of soils , *PILES & pile driving , *LANDSLIDES , *SOIL liquefaction - Abstract
This article explores the challenges faced in designing and constructing underground engineering projects in cold regions, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. The presence of permafrost, which is frozen soil, presents unique difficulties due to its varying thickness and temperature. Changes in temperature and heat sources can impact the stability of structures built on or into permafrost. Engineers must consider these factors and adapt their designs accordingly. The article discusses the challenges faced in building structures on permafrost in Alaska, including settlement and instability caused by thawing ice-rich permafrost. Various techniques such as ground exploration, monitoring, and ground-freezing measures are used to mitigate these risks. The article also highlights seismic concerns and soil liquefaction that can occur when permafrost thaws. Successful examples of engineering in cold regions, such as the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, are mentioned, along with the measures taken to protect them from thawing permafrost. The article also emphasizes the importance of the Permafrost Tunnel Research Facility in studying permafrost and its response to climate change. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024