Passive Road over Perennial Ice at Casey Station, Antarctica
Publication: Journal of Cold Regions Engineering
Volume 28, Issue 1
Abstract
Resupply of Australia’s Antarctic station Casey relies on the movement of heavy cargo over land from the wharf to the station. The road consists of gravel that is deposited seasonally over 2–3 m of perennial ice. However, ongoing maintenance of this road is unsustainable because local sourcing of gravel will soon be prohibited. Therefore, alternative resupply options were investigated. Bridging solutions are available to span problematic sections of the road; however, sections of unbridged road will remain, requiring ongoing maintenance. Therefore, implementation of a passive, thermally isolated road over the existing or similar road alignment is recommended. Gravel may still be required in the initial construction of such a road; however, it would be contained and not need replenishment. Measures can be implemented in an iterative manner to ensure that the resupply of Casey Station continues in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable manner.
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Acknowledgments
This work was only possible because of the assistance of many personnel at Australia’s Casey Station over the 2011/2012 summer season. This paper has been considerably improved by the input of a number of reviewers; their time and input in providing constructive and good-hearted advice is appreciated.
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Published In
Journal of Cold Regions Engineering
Volume 28 • Issue 1 • March 2014
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 6, 2012
Accepted: May 6, 2013
Published online: May 8, 2013
Published in print: Mar 1, 2014
Discussion open until: May 2, 2014
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