Thermal Modeling and Verification of the Embankment for the Barter Island Airport Relocation

Abstract

Relocation of the Barter Island Airport included a new 4,500-foot long runway, taxiway, apron, and 1.4 miles of access road near the Village of Kaktovik on Barter Island, Alaska. Barter Island lies approximately 115 miles east of Deadhorse along the Arctic Coast of Alaska. The relocated airport and access roads were constructed over tundra in a previously undeveloped area with ice-rich, frozen soils below the tundra. To provide a runway and road surface that was stable and resilient to rising global temperatures, the embankment sections were designed to prevent thawing of the underlying materials after completion. Finite element, thermal modeling was conducted using TEMP/W to design the embankment and insulation thickness. Subgrade soil temperatures were recorded before and during construction. Data collected during the first year of construction were used to calibrate the model and validate that the proposed design will resist the expected increases in global temperatures. The calibrated model parameters are compared to estimates from published relationships, and the measured thaw depths are discussed.