Development and validation of a reduced one-dimensional thermos-mechanical soil stability model for predictive use with the Alaska RWIS

Abstract

A numerical tool was developed that helps forecast when thaw occurs at depths in a road embankment during spring thaw in regions that experience seasonal freeze and thaw. The tool is a Excel spreadsheet that uses a single adjustable parameter, and is driven by time series air temperature data. The model agrees well with archived data of subsurface temperatures at five different highway locations in Alaska.