Impact of Climate Change on Infrastructure in Longyearbyen. Case Study of Pile Foundations on Sloping Terrains

• Main Authors: Bekele, Yared Worku, Sinitsyn, Anatoly
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: SINTEF akademisk forlag 2020
• Subjects: Infra; Artic; Permafrost; Climate projections; Climate; VDP::Teknologi: 500; Longyearbyen; Svalbard; Active layer thickness; permafrost
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/11250/2653453

The effect of climate change on existing infrastructure in Longyearbyen, Svalbard is investigated in this study. Climate data recordings show that, over the past couple of years, record-breaking temperature and precipitations measurements are observed in this area. It is anticipated that this will pose a serious threat to existing infrastructure and will impose additional challenges for new developments. Adaptations of existing and future infrastructure to changes in climate for safety and serviceability is of paramount importance. The current study aims to contribute towards this initiative. The particular focus of the study was slopes and buildings supported on sloping terrains in Longyearbyen. Changes in ground temperature are investigated based on existing temperature data and forecasts. The ground thermal regime is then used to evaluate the stability of representative slopes in the study area. The capacity of single piles on a slope is also investigated by considering various factors such as slope angle, location of pile on slope, pile material and geometry. The following findings are observed from the investigation: The projected climate data show that temperatures will keep rising in Svalbard. Based on the analytical and numerical studies performed for the projected temperature data, it is observed that the active layer thickness will increase up to 2 m or more, depending on the thermal properties of the soil. The increase in ground temperatures also results in the warming of the permafrost underneath the active layer. The stability of slopes and the bearing capacity of existing infrastructure foundations is expected to be significantly affected by these changes. Slope stability evaluations were performed for a representative slope in the study area by considering changing active layer thicknesses according to the projected ground temperature regime. The factor of safety against slope failure decreases with increasing active layer thickness. Under the specific assumptions made for the evaluation, the ...