Snow Effects on Pile Design Temperatures

by Michael C. Metz, GeoTec Services Inc, Golden, CO, USA,
Joseph E. Rothbauer, GeoTec Services Inc, Golden, CO, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Foundations in Permafrost and Seasonal Frost

Abstract:

The construction of North Slope aboveground pipelines and gathering lines is generally from snow workpads constructed proximate to existing access roadways. The pile support centerline of these pipelines is located on undisturbed tundra 6 to 9 meters from the fill prism toe of slope. Roadway fills 150 cm thick create snow drifting which extends well past the pile supports resulting in snow depth accumulations up to three times normal. The increase in snow depth increases winter ground surface temperatures resulting in a long term warming of the mean annual permafrost temperature which can affect long term performance of temperature dependent pile designs.

Subject Headings: Snow | Pipe piles | Temperature effects | Pipeline design | Winter | Thermal properties | Slopes

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search