Creation of the Massif of Permafrost in Construction Zones of Engineering Structures on Soft Soils

Abstract

This paper considers a solution of the task of artificial months-long cooling of soft soil under a layer of fallen snow in zones of engineering structures located in close proximity to industrial sources of thermal energy (thermal power plants, heat power main lines, the oil processing enterprises, etc.) in northern regions. Operation of industrial sources of thermal energy in northern regions of Russia is complicated by the fact that extensive territories of these regions are boggy and are covered with permafrost. Work of an industrial source of thermal energy causes thawing and weakening of soil with all negative consequences that follow. The method of months-long (during all winter season) cooling and thermal stabilization of soil under a layer of the fallen snow and of maintaining of negative temperatures of soil during the spring-summer period is offered. Besides, the device that provides realization of such a method is described. In operation of the device the fact that snow and ice have high ability of reflecting of solar radiation, low heat conductivity and very big warmth of phase transition from a firm state to a liquid state is used. Snow and ice on the cooled sites do not manage to thaw during summertime, and in the next winter their mass increases at the expense of the fallen rainfall. Within several years in swamps the strong ice-soil massif (a peculiar artificial massif of permafrost), which can exist tens and hundreds of years, is formed. This artificial massif of permafrost is planned to be used as the basis for construction of industrial facilities of houses, sites of railroad tracks, port constructions, etc.