Thermal performance assessment of pile foundations in permafrost soils

Recent research suggests that air temperatures in the Arctic are rising, leading to thawing and degradation of permafrost soils. Studies carried out in the city of Norilsk show that the degradation of permafrost poses significant risks to existing infrastructure, particularly in relation to the bearing capacity of pile foundations and ground deformation. However, in addition to climate change, improper building operation and urban network management also play a significant role in foundation deformations and infrastructure failures.This paper presents the results of a numerical analysis of the temperature distribution along the piles and surrounding soil after 10 years of operation of a new building. The results show that the presence of piles in the ground reduces the soil temperature due to the higher thermal conductivity of reinforced concrete, thereby contributing to soil temperature stabilisation under the building. However, the study did not confirm the melting of permafrost caused by the building's foundation. The primary cause of the degradation of the ground foundation is likely to be the violation of normal building operation and engineering systems.