NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: physical sciences, ground temperature, thermal regime, embankment stability

Objective(s): To monitor the thermal regime of the embankment, arch, piles and road subgrade post the construction of the arch replacement and to use measured ground temperatures to calibrate numerical models for understanding and predicting bridge, road and embankment stability.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No.5466. The objectives of this research are to: 1) monitor the thermal regime of the embankment, arch, piles and road subgrade post the construction of the arch replacement; 2) use measured ground temperatures to calibrate numerical models for understanding and predicting bridge, road and embankment stability; 3) analyze multiyear and multidisciplinary datasets to better understand triggering behaviours of any changes in soil-structure interaction and stability; and 4) engage local community members and organizations in the research. This project will be in partnership between the Northwest Territories Department of Infrastructure (DOI) and the Royal Military College. Long term research activities at the Gunghi Creek Arch Bridge Replacement site will provide context and direction for future infrastructure replacements and new builds with respect to impact on the thermal regime and soil-structure interaction. The steps required to complete this study include: 1) Working alongside DOI and with Aurora Research Institute (ARI) for instrumentation installation during the arch bridge construction phases; 2) Instrumentation will include: thermistors to measure ground temperature and strain gauges on the arch and foundations to monitor strains 3) The equipment will remain in place for a minimum of 5 years, and be regularly monitored; and 4) Working with ARI and Royal Military College Research results will be provided through presentations to interested parties in Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvik and Yellowknife, following the sufficient collection and analysis of data. Research papers (journal papers and conference papers), plain language summary reports, and multiple Masters of Science thesis will be provided to interested communities and individuals as they become available. Results will be available within the government and university research groups, and the raw data will be made available through the researchers website on a yearly updated cycle. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from May 21, 2023 to November 24, 2023.