During 1996—1997, an experimental air convection embankment (ACE) was constructed in Fairbanks, Alaska, using very coarse [1- to 6-in (25- to 150-mm)], poorly graded, crushed rock fill material on top of icerich permafrost foundation. The highly permeable ACE installation was designed to test the cooling effectiveness of the ACE concept in an actual roadway project. Using thermistor sensor strings, temperature data were collected from the ACE test section and an adjacent control section. Results showed that the ACE technique can be used to generate a passive cooling effect. This effect manifested as a depression of mean annual temperature at the base of the ACE cross section compared with mean embankment surface temperatures. The data indicated that this thermal offset is on the order of 7°F (Δ = 4°C) for this installation. The measured data also showed that mean annual temperatures are generally near or above the freezing value in the upper portion of the ACE embankment but significantly below freezing at the base. The temperature offset caused a gradual cooling of the foundation soil beneath the embankment with maximum base temperatures that have decreased from more than 40°F (4.4°C) to near freezing during the 5-year measurement period. Within a few more years of operation, it is anticipated that the permafrost table will move up into the base of the ACE cross section, completely eliminating any seasonal thaw in the foundation soil below and thus preventing future subgrade thaw–consolidation.


    Access

    Download

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Air Convection Embankment for Roadways: Field Experimental Study in Alaska


    Additional title:

    Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2003-01-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Motor roadways

    Engineering Index Backfile | 1945



    Field Study of Shredded-Tire Embankment

    Hoppe, Edward J. | Transportation Research Record | 1998


    Modern city roadways

    Lewis, Nelson P. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1900