Sunwoo Kim
University of Alaska Fairbanks
USA
Title: Optimum configuration for roadway embankment stabilization on permafrost using constructal law
Biography
Biography: Sunwoo Kim
Abstract
Constructing surface facilities on the permafrost soils is an engineering challenge. Moreover, evading the thaw-settlement on roadway embankments is not an easy task due to the shifting thermal regime under the ground soil in accordance to the seasonal temperature variations. Out of all engineered cooling solutions available to stabilize the permafrost soil usage of thermosyphons has attracted many researchers through its outstanding results1compared to other cooling methods. The only limitation in using thermosyphons is of their high cost. In this research, optimization of thermosyphons is the primary goal. We are using Constructal law for this, which accounts for the universal tendency of freely morphing flow systems to generate configurations that evolve toward greater access for their currents. The areas of interest in the research is to compare the cooling effects and to find the optimal spacing between thermosyphons for both parallel evaporator and the bifurcated evaporator (T, Y and U sections), to find the ideal bifurcation level and analyze the cooling effects of different bifurcated level models.
