Long-term thermal stability and settlement of heat pipe-protected highway embankment in warm permafrost regions

Abstract

Warm permafrost is a challenging geological material for infrastructure engineering. This study presents the observed damage, ground temperature, and settlement at varying depths from three-year continuous monitoring of two selected highway embankment segments along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway in warm permafrost areas, including one conventional embankment and the other with heat pipes on the sunny slope side. Field monitoring data reveal that the embankment settlement mainly results from thaw consolidation of warm permafrost, and the permafrost table beneath a conventional embankment is concave-shaped due to the polythermal effects of asphalt pavement. In contrast, the permafrost table underneath the embankment equipped with heat pipes on the sunny side is convex-shaped due to heat pipes' cooling effects. The different causes of longitudinal cracks on the two embankment surfaces were uncovered based on field observed data. Results of coupled hydro-thermal-mechanical model simulation considering climate warming show that while the configurations of heat pipes on both sides of the embankment can generally ensure the long-term thermal stability and limit the differential settlement across the road surface, the one with slanted heat pipes delivers the best performance and is recommended for future applications. Results from this study, including field monitoring data and recommended heat pipe configuration, will be of value for the construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure in warm permafrost regions.