ABSTRACT

Present-day construction on permafrost ground utilizes one or several specialized techniques to minimize the problems encountered with thaw-sensitive and frost-susceptible soils. This chapter describes the problems to be overcome and the way in which they are usually dealt with. It includes case studies. This is followed by a systematic description of the basic techniques used to minimize the problems. However, it is important to understand that in all construction on permafrost, the methods chosen will only work satisfactorily for a given length of time, which is based on the current environmental conditions prior to construction, including the climate and hydrology. Deformation or damage to structures is the result of seasonal freezing of soil water and thawing of the ice in the underlying soil or surface water. There are two main kinds of methods used to construct structures on thaw-sensitive substrates.