and Public FacilitiesEXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Main Authors: Margaret M. Darrow, Ph. D
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.260.626; http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/45000/45200/45288/RR08.11.Darrow_FINAL_TEMPW_report_7_28_2010.pdf

personnel have used TEMP/W, a commercially available two-dimensional finite element program, to conduct thermal modeling of various embankment configurations in an effort to reduce the thawing of ice-rich permafrost through thermally stable embankment designs. The overall goal of this study is to ground-truth the thermal modeling results produced by TEMP/W. To achieve this goal, we collected soil samples and installed thermistor strings to measure ground temperatures at two research locations: Richardson Highway mile post (MP) 113, and Dalton Highway 9 Mile Hill. Each site was chosen based on ongoing AK DOT&PF work in the area, fine-grained foundation soils, and the presence of permafrost. We conducted both standard AK DOT&PF laboratory testing and specialized testing (i.e., thermal conductivity, dry unit weight, volumetric water content) on the collected soil samples. At each research location, we installed thermistor strings at the shoulder and toe of the embankment and in an undisturbed area, forming a cross-section to the highway centerline. The thermistor strings extended to 30 ft below the ground surface. For the Richardson Highway location, analysis of the measured temperatures indicated that the foundation soils are not frozen directly below the highway embankment to a depth of at least 30 ft. In the undisturbed area, the