Design Parameters Analysis of Insulated Embankments in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Permafrost Region

Abstract

Based on the problems of application of embankments with insulation in permafrost regions, a finite-element method (FEM) was adopted to analyze the influence on permafrost protection effects of the parameters such as insulation materials and thickness, embedded depth, annual mean permafrost temperature, and construction season timing. The FEM calculated results have shown that, in the long-term view of Qinghai-Tibet plateau with rising temperature, all embankments with insulation can protect the permafrost underneath and delay thawing of the permafrost table. The protection effects are related to insulation materials and thickness, embedded depth, construction season timing, and annual mean permafrost temperature. For the embankment design, the influence of all parameters should be taken into account comprehensively, and the most appropriate parameters group should be adopted to protect the permafrost most effectively.