Scientists from Tomsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (TSUACE) have presented an innovative method for protecting permafrost, which turned out to be almost ten times cheaper than traditional solutions. According to the university's press service, the technology is based on the use of a thermostabilizing material that acts as a heat-insulating "pillow" under the foundation of buildings.
The essence of the method lies in the seasonal regulation of heat transfer between the building and the ground. In summer, the heat-insulating "pillow" protects the base from the heat coming from the building, and in winter it is removed so that the cold air can freeze the ground again. This cycle allows maintaining a stable temperature of the permafrost and preventing deformation of the foundation.
Studies have shown that the thermal resistance of the new structure exceeds 10 m²·°С/W (for every 1 m² at a temperature difference of 1°С, only 0.1 W of heat passes through the structure), which provides effective protection of the soil in the warm season.
Scientists simulated the application of the technology on residential buildings in Norilsk, one of the largest cities in the Arctic. The results showed that the bearing capacity of frozen ground can be fully restored within 3–5 years using heat-insulating materials.
The team, led by the head of the Department of Architecture of Civil and Industrial Buildings, Sergey Ovsyannikov, proposed two options for using the technology: laying insulation under the building with seasonal movement of elements or installing it around the perimeter with adjustable openings for winter cooling. The university has already received a patent for the development.
Permafrost occupies more than 60% of the territory of Russia and is the basis of the infrastructure of the North — from residential buildings to industrial complexes. Its thawing leads to subsidence, destruction and enormous economic losses. The new technology makes it possible to reduce the cost of maintaining soil stability tenfold and thereby ensure the safety of northern cities.
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