Shallow Foundations on Frozen Soil: Creep Settlement

Abstract

Current methods for estimating the long‐term settlement of shallow foundations on frozen soils are reviewed. It is found that, when the distortional creep is the main source of settlement, there are some potentially good methods for its prediction. Much less is known, however, on how to predict the long‐term settlement of shallow footings on relatively warm frozen soils, when both creep and consolidation act simultaneously. Other subjects considered in the paper are the selection of operational strength of frozen soils for the design, the ways of taking into account the effect of friction on their creep and strength, as well as the effects on the settlement of foundations of the depth of burial and the loading history. Finally, some areas of needed research are defined, with a special emphasis on the need for more long‐term performance observations on full‐scale footings in permafrost.