Permafrost Technology Foundation Library
CCHRC is digitizing and cataloging the reports and information the Permafrost Technology Foundation collected over 20 years. CCHRC will host the information on its website for access by researchers and others.
Design Manual for New Foundations on Permafrost
Design Manual for Stabilizing Foundations on Permafrost
Case Studies:
Grenac Road, Fairbanks AK
A house with a heated crawlspace had significant differential settlement that was remediated by opening up the crawlspace and placing the house on a crib foundation. While requiring periodic re-leveling, the new foundation strategy appeared to have stabilized the permafrost.
Cordwood Drive, Fairbanks AK
A house built in 1970 was originally predicted to settle significantly based on a 1990 geotechnical exploration. However, after several years of monitoring, it was found that the house was relatively stable as the underlying permafrost receded.
Ballaine Road, Fairbanks AK, June 1999
A two-story residence with a crawlspace located on permafrost, including several feet of clear ice, was remediated by ventilating the crawlspace and insulating the utilities. Settling continued through the monitoring period, but was substantially reduced by the remediation strategy.
Constitution Road, Fairbanks AK, September 2000
A heat pump was retrofitted for a house with a daylight basement to cool the ground underlying the building. The strategy was highly successful, but required proper maintenance of the heat pump to avoid further settlement or too much heat removal leading to frost jacking.
Glacier Avenue, Fairbanks AK, June 1998
Settlement problems with this home resulted from loose soils underlying the foundation, not due to permafrost. Injection of grout was considered as a remedial approach, but not performed due to the risk of poor results.
Jones Road, Fairbanks AK, June 1998
A house with a shallow pile foundation with settlement problems was replaced with a Triodetic foundation. Differential settlement continued after installing the new foundation, but was shown to be maintainable by periodic leveling maintenance.
Kivalina Street, Fairbanks AK, June 1998
This house was built on relatively thaw stable permafrost, which was rapidly retreating during the monitoring period. It was concluded that the settlement damage to the house was an initial condition that hadn't progressed any further.
Madcap Lane, Fairbanks AK
A house with a daylight basement on thaw-unstable permafrost had several thermosyphons installed under the entire house footprint. This was successful in slowing the rate of settlement.
Rise Road, Fairbanks AK, June 1998
A small house with a crawlspace had substantial differential settlement that was alleviated by placing the house on adjustable jacks. During the monitoring period, the permafrost thawing appeared to stabilize after separating the house from the ground.
Stanford Drive, Fairbanks AK, June 1998
A single story house had many signs of stress attributed to settlement, however, no evidence of permafrost was found around the house. It appeared that the damage was attributable to inadequate compact of soils during construction.
