Interaction effectiveness analysis between seasonally acting cooling devices and heat-insulating layers on permafrost soils of the base of transport structures

Permafrost soils stabilisation of an earth bed base constructed according to the I principle of design (with preservation of permafrost soils in the frozen state) requires a competent assessment of the constructed object influence on the earth foundation thermophysical parameters with an estimation of their change. The purpose of the present study is to analyse the effectiveness use of seasonally acting cooling devices (SACD), interacting with thermal insulation material, on the earth foundation of the embankment at the specific object «Kholodnikan Junction on the Zolotinka-Ayam crossing of the Far Eastern Railway». The authors justify this design and technological solution application on the Far Eastern railway, the degradation of permafrost earth foundation soils occurring in time is shown. It is emphasised that for a reasonable choice of rational design and technological solutions it is necessary to analyse and take into account engineering-geological and natural-climatic factors of the construction area. Accordingly, the technological stages of seasonally active cooling devices are shown for the sites with permafrost soils, the amount of heat-insulating material and condensers used to ensure the stable state of permafrost soils is calculated, the influence of seasonally active cooling devices on permafrost earth foundation soils is modelled using Frost 3D software. The article has been prepared on the based on the research carried out within the framework of the grant provided by the Ministry of Education and Science in the form of a subsidy from the federal budget for carrying out major scientific projects on priority directions of scientific and technological development, project topic «Analysis and development of theoretical bases with research and development of design and technological solutions to ensure the operational reliability of transport infrastructure facilities in the conditions of the spread of permafrost soils», Agreement No. 075-15-2024.