Icefall Hazard Predictive Indicators & Mitigation Techniques - Results of a 3-YR. Research Study in Alaska
Falling pieces of ice (“icefalls”) may present an impact hazard along transportation corridors in U.S. northern-tier states subject to winter conditions. Hazards from falling ice include direct impact and secondary shatter events. Until recently, there have been very little research and design criteria relative to icefall hazard mitigation. The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and Scarptec, Inc. completed icefall hazard research in February 2018. The 3-yr. research project, undertaken with cooperation from the FHWA, was broken down into two distinct phases – Phase No. 1 Literature Review (completed 28 February 2016) and Phase No. 2 Site-Specific Icefall Hazard Studies (completed 28 February 2018). Phase No. 2 entailed site visits in September 2016 and March 2017 to collect data on slope and ice conditions at seven sites along the Seward and Richardson Highways. The site-specific information was subsequently used for preliminary technical evaluations and an initial icefall impact risk assessment, both mitigated and unmitigated. This submission summarizes the results of both phases, with specific emphasis on potential mitigation solutions at Mile Post 113.2, which was the site of a large icefall in April of 2012. The results of this study may be beneficial to transportation planners and engineers responsible for highway design and maintenance.
- Record URL:
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Supplemental Notes:
- Copyright © 2018 Highway Geology Symposium (HGS). Abstract reprinted with permission of the HGS.
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Corporate Authors:
Highway Geology Symposium
, United States -
Authors:
- Scarpato, David
- Murphy, Matt
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Conference:
- 69th Highway Geology Symposium
- Location: Portland Maine, United States
- Date: 2018-9-10 to 2018-9-13
- Publication Date: 2018
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; Illustrations; Photos; References; Tables;
- Pagination: p 451-473
- Monograph Title: Proceedings of the 69th Highway Geology Symposium (HGS 2018)
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Catchment areas; Data collection; Ditches; Glaciers; Hazard evaluation; Hazard mitigation; Highway safety; Ice phenomena; Risk assessment; Rock slopes; Snow and ice control
- Identifier Terms: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
- Uncontrolled Terms: Icefall
- Geographic Terms: Alaska
- Subject Areas: Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01721345
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Oct 31 2019 5:01PM