Construction on Glaciers
Construction on Glaciers
(OP)
Good day,
I am wondering if anyone has experience of constructing semi-permanent roads on glaciers, the methods used and the problems/pitfalls (and I don't just mean the crevasses)?
I can't see that there would be a one size fits all answer but any references, examples, ideas etc would be useful.
I have Googled but cannot not find any info though I believe there are such animals in Greenland and possibly Norway.
thanks
I am wondering if anyone has experience of constructing semi-permanent roads on glaciers, the methods used and the problems/pitfalls (and I don't just mean the crevasses)?
I can't see that there would be a one size fits all answer but any references, examples, ideas etc would be useful.
I have Googled but cannot not find any info though I believe there are such animals in Greenland and possibly Norway.
thanks





RE: Construction on Glaciers
-Include South Pole station in your searches, it's on a thick ice cap so may be considered a stable glacier (but it is moving).
-Lots of ice roads are constructed in northern Canada & Alaska, not on a glacier put probably some similar challenges.
RE: Construction on Glaciers
I appreciate the quick response.
I am based in Canada and my company has experience in ice roads but we want to use this road year round, ie during summer, and my mind is filling with 'what ifs'.
cheers
RE: Construction on Glaciers
RE: Construction on Glaciers
I was thinking on the same lines - fabric with fill on top. We may lose the road through creep - depending upon the galcier movement and we're not sure of that yet. The fabric will provide a temporary solution however.
If it ever goes ahead, I will buy shares in a fabric company - there is quite a length of raod.
cheers and thanks again
RE: Construction on Glaciers
I am located in Canada. If I can help, let me know.
RE: Construction on Glaciers
Check it out! You can haul alot of hog fuel and in the cold climes, it's not like it'll decay rapidly.
f-d
¡papá gordo ain't no madre flaca!
RE: Construction on Glaciers
RE: Construction on Glaciers
RE: Construction on Glaciers
IF this goes ahead (after a lot more work) I'll let you all know the outcome.
cheers
RE: Construction on Glaciers
Idea:
If I were designing this, my biggest concern with glacial creep wouldn't be the creep itself, it'd be differential creep as you move perpendicular to the direction of glacial flow. I don't know much about glaciers, but if they're anything like a slow fluid they creep more in the center than on the edges. If I were designing it, I'd make as many stretches of the road parallel to glacial flow as possible, with a few short hops perpendicular to the flow of the glacier, as those are more likely to experience differential creep, and develop cracks or shifts due to glacial movement. Then you'd be centralizing the areas likely to need repairs to shorter stretches, for maintenance of the road.
Repeated Disclaimer: I may be totally full of it. My only point of educational reference is Discovery Channel.
RE: Construction on Glaciers
A problem like this certainly exercises the mind.
cheers.
RE: Construction on Glaciers
RE: Construction on Glaciers
Yes I think you are right.
thoughts that have passed by my mind - spray the fill white with an inoncuous material; build the road in a cut in the snow/ice so that less sun hits the ice and fill; put a screen along parts that face the sun;
RE: Construction on Glaciers
http://books.google.com/books?id=3jErAAAAYAAJ
(35 meg download to get the short article)
Follow-up study on its movement:
http://en.scientificcommons.org/18301779
Another road on a glacier, found reference but no source:
Title Access road across Hoganes Glacier to the new Svea Mine, Svalbard
Author Morken, P.O.
Author Affil. Morken, P.O., Store Norske, Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
Source Proceedings of the International Symposium on Mining in the Arctic, Vol.6, p.149-152, ; 6th international symposium on Mining in the Arctic, Nuuk, Greenland, May 28-31, 2001, edited by H.K. Olsen, L. Lorentzen and O. Rendal. Publisher: A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, Netherlands. ISBN: 90-5809-177-5
Pub Date 2001
RE: Construction on Glaciers