Warming and its effects on foundations for northern infrastructure

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Construction of civil engineering infrastructure in northern Canada usually removes vegetation cover, affects snow cover, increases heat transfer, changes drainage pattern, and therefore contributes to thawing of permafrost. Climate warming also contributes to thawing of permafrost. Thawing, either as a result of climate warming or construction activities, can produce large settlements and serviceability issues for buildings, airport runways, railway beds, highway embankments, river crossings, and hydroelectric facilities. Thawing permafrost and expanding infrastructure systems require improved designs, construction, and maintenance. Understanding the stress-strain characteristics of warming soils is essential in predicting the performance of foundations, and subsequently in mitigating failing foundations for northern infrastructure.