Determination of Some Frozen and Thawed Properties of Permafrost Soils

Abstract

Mackenzie Valley Pipe Line Research Limited has undertaken a significant amount of full-scale testing at its test site near Inuvik, N.W.T. Large diameter high ice content permafrost core samples were taken from this site to controlled laboratory conditions, and tested in both frozen and thawed states so that proposed predictive methods for pipeline performance could be evaluated.This paper describes procedures for sampling, sample transportation at controlled temperatures, and sample preparation in the laboratory. Methods for thaw-settlement and thaw-strength are also described. The results of these tests are presented and analyzed.