Introduction to Permafrost Engineering

• Main Author: Juola, Jussi
• Other Authors: Lapin ammattikorkeakoulu
• Format: Bachelor Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Lapin ammattikorkeakoulu 2017
• Subjects: Permafrost; Palsa; Foundation Design; Active Method; Passive Method; fi=Maanmittaustekniikka|sv=Lantmäteriteknik|en=Surveying Technology|; Maanmittaustekniikka; Arctic; Climate change; Ice; palsa; palsas; permafrost
• Online Access: http://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/125583

The objective of this thesis was to study permafrost engineering in the form of a literature review. More specifically, the aim was to collect information about the relevance of permafrost to engineers working in the Arctic. This thesis also provides an explanation of topics such as the formation of permafrost, palsas, foundation designs, active and passive methods of foundation design, and permafrost in Finland. The study was conducted by collecting information and data through reports, guide books, interviews, conference publications, proceedings, newspapers and lectures. The principal research method was to become familiar with the subject through many works discussing the topic of permafrost. Essential theory and information on permafrost engineering was then collected and compiled into one writing. Nearly 20 percent of the world’s land area is underlain by permafrost. Most of the affected land areas can be found in the northern hemisphere, in the Arctic. Throughout the years, civil engineers have built buildings, roads, railways and airfields on ground underlain by permafrost. There are multiple design paths and methods of constructing on frozen soil. Unfortunately, many of these construction projects have failed and the structures have become unusable due to the unstable nature of permafrost. Ice as a substance is extremely vulnerable to thermal changes, which are now escalating due to ongoing climate change. Previously frozen land areas are thawing, causing irreversible changes to the surrounding habitat. The increasingly unstable permafrost areas force engineers to apply their practical and theoretical knowledge in order to successfully construct a structure on ground that is underlain by permafrost. Tämän opinnäytetyön tavoitteena on tutkia kirjallisuusselvityksen avulla ikiroutaa, ikirouta-alueella tapahtuvaa rakentamista sekä yleisiä haasteita ikiroutaan liittyen. Tutkimus toteutettiin keräämällä tietoa alan raporteista, koulutusoppaista, konferenssijulkaisuista sekä kirjoista. Työssä perehdytään ...