Field studies of frozen soils composed of alluvial Quaternary deposits

This study examines the behavior of frozen soils at a construction site in Astana, Kazakhstan. Field static load tests (SLT) and dynamic load tests (DLT), were conducted using driven piles embedded in alluvial Quaternary deposits overlying a 2.5 m permafrost layer. SLT results reveal settlements below 20 mm at a maximum load of 1400 kN, supporting a design capacity of 1167 kN after applying a safety factor of 1.2. Notably, creep behavior was observed in the upper soil layers, and lateral displacement patterns indicate complex interactions within the frozen soil. These findings highlight the need for further research into soil creep and lateral deformations in frozen environments.