During the Second Industry Conference “Oil and Gas Infrastructure in Permafrost,” experts assessed the impact of climate change and human activity on infrastructure stability in Arctic regions and discussed innovative foundation technologies. Held at St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, the event brought together scientists, industry representatives, and engineers to address these challenges.

Permafrost degradation due to global warming threatens the stability of buildings and roads. Construction in these areas demands specialized approaches, including thorough geological and climatic analysis. Pile foundations, commonly used to preserve permafrost, can fail if built on thawed soil. Alternatives such as ventilated blocks, lightweight foundations, and thermal stabilization systems have been developed to address these challenges.

Thermal stabilization involves freezing the ground to ensure foundation stability, but it requires significant investment and lacks standardized guidelines, complicating implementation. Other innovations include composite piles, reinforced concrete foundations, and methods like injecting expanding geopolymer resin to strengthen soils.

Experts emphasized the need for updated regulations, climate-adaptive designs, and geotechnical monitoring systems. Technologies such as polymer-coated piles and sand coatings for steel piles are also being tested to improve structural reliability and reduce the impact of frost heave. Continued dialogue and research are critical for advancing Arctic construction methods and supporting sustainable development in permafrost zones.

Source: Neftegaz.ru

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