Calculation of Permafrost Thawing Depth in Multilayer Pavement Bases

Abstract

An engineering method of calculating the thawing depth of permafrost in a multilayer base is proposed. The method includes an exact analytical solution of the problem of nonstationary heat conduction in a multilayer medium, including efficient thermal insulation with phase transitions (Stefan's problem) with a stepped calculation for each layer. Comparing the computational results shows that the method can be used for preliminary engineering calculations of the thawing depth of the bases of airfield pavement laid together with a layer of efficient thermal insulation.