INFLUENCE OF SNOW COVER ON THE GROUND THERMAL REGIME ALONG AN EMBANKMENT BUILT ON PERMAFROST: IN-SITU MEASUREMENTS

ABSTRACT: Snow accumulation along linear transportation infrastructures prevents heat to be extracted from the ground in winter. Consequently, the permafrost underneath is degrading and the structural properties of the roadway can be significantly affected. During the winter of 2014-2015, the thermal regime through the snowpack and the ground underlying were monitored at two study sites in Canada. The data collected shows that the ground surface temperature reduction is more important for the first centimeters of snow, then progressively diminishes as the snowpack get thicker and denser. The relationship between the n-factor and the snow thickness that can be explain by a logarithmic equation can quantify this observation. This paper is part of a bigger project whose purpose is to counteract the insulating effect of snow accumulation along transportation infrastructure embankments by adapting the angle of the slopes in the design.