Stability of Critical Infrastructure in Permafrost Environments: A Proactive Approach

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The stability of critical infrastructure constructed on ice‐rich permafrost is an important aspect of responsible economic development of natural resources in arctic and subarctic regions. In these regions, surface infrastructure, such as roads, dams, pipelines, and buildings often rely on the frozen state of permafrost for stability and are essential to daily operations.

Permafrost refers to earth materials that are at or below 0°C (32°F) for at least two consecutive years. Surface infrastructure alters the surface energy balance and amount of heat transferred to and from the underlying permafrost, potentially warming it and causing perpetual thaw, which can lead to ground settlement and other processes such as soil creep.

This article demonstrates how working with permafrost through a planned proactive approach improves the resiliency of infrastructure and reduces the risks to a project confronted by the unique challenges of permafrost. 

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