Thermal Stabilization of Embankments Built on Thaw-Sensitive Permafrost

Abstract

As a result of climate change and design techniques poorly adapted to permafrost conditions, thermal degradation of permafrost underneath transportation infrastructure is leading to infrastructure instability and increasing maintenance costs. Thermal stabilization methods were developed to counter the effects of permafrost degradation; however, little information on the design procedures is available. The objective of this paper was to describe the development of two rational design methods and to present several design charts developed using numerical simulations, to assist the designers in thermal stabilization of embankments built on thaw-sensitive permafrost. Thermal models were built based on specific field sites and well calibrated to the measured temperature data. The charts were validated using additional data in Yukon and Nunavik, Canada, to improve their robustness and their reliability. Design charts were developed for promising mitigation techniques, including gentle side slopes, high-albedo surfaces, air convection embankments (ACEs), and heat drains.