PERFORMANCE OF THE THERMOTUBE PERMAFROST STABILIZATION SYSTEM IN THE AIRPORT RUNWAY AT BETHEL, ALASKA. FINAL REPORT

In an effort to stabilize the permafrost subsidence in the north end of the airport at Bethel, Alaska, passive heat transfer devices were used to freeze the subsurface soil and reinforce the permafrost during the winter. The passive thermotube heat transfer units convect heat out of the ground whenever the air temperature is below the condensation temperature of the working fluid inside the tubes. This temperature which is a function of the working fluid and the pressure, is adjusted to approximately 25 deg F when the tubes are filled during installation in the runway. Details are described of the design and installation of the thermotubes as well as some results of their use. The application of this technique is discussed and the conclusions drawn are presented.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwddes/research/assets/pdf/ak_rd_86_20.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Shannon and Wilson Associates

  2055 Hill Road
  Fairbanks, AK  United States  99707

  Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

  Division of Planning and Programming, 2301 Peger Road
  Fairbanks, AK  United States  99701
• Authors:
  • Mcfadden, T
• Publication Date: 1985-12

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures;
• Pagination: 44 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airport runways; Building; Design; Facilities; Heat transfer; Installation; Performance; Permafrost; Soil stabilization; Subsidence (Geology); Subsoil
• Old TRIS Terms: Thermotubes
• Subject Areas: Construction; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pavements; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00457065
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: AK-RD-86-20
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 27 2004 9:38PM