Date of Award

3-21-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering Management

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Steven J. Schuldt, PhD

Abstract

The DoD is executing over $500M in military construction on Eielson Air Force Base (AFB) within the next three years. This construction program will expand the footprint of facilities and change parts of the storm water management scheme, which may have second order effects on the underlying permafrost layers. These changes in permafrost will drive engineering decision, and help shape the overall strategy for military readiness in the Arctic. Little site-specific knowledge exists on the human caused effects to permafrost at this location. In 2016, the permafrost degradation rates at Eielson AFB were modeled using the Geophysical Institute Permafrost Laboratory (GIPL) 2.1 model and limited available geotechnical and climate data. To further refine an understanding of the permafrost at Eielson AFB and help engineers and commanders make more informed decisions on engineering and operations in the arctic, this project established two long term permafrost monitoring stations. The data generated by these stations are the first of their kind at Eielson AFB and represent the first modern systematic effort in the DoD to quantify permafrost condition before, during, and after construction activities. The data collected during this study indicates that there are permafrost losses occurring at this research site and the increased construction activities associated with the F-35 bed down are the likely cause of permafrost degradation.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENV-MS-19-M-184

DTIC Accession Number

AD1077539

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