Simulation of thermal effects of engineering objects in the arctic regions on the permafrost boundaries

Abstract

The paper discusses a mathematical model for describing heat distribution in the surface layer of soil from various sources of heat, or cold, which, together with seasonal climatic changes, form unsteady thermal fields in the soil. The developed algorithms are focused on high-performance computers and were used in the design of various oil and gas fields located in permafrost zone. The main attention is paid to adequate setting of boundary conditions and maximum consideration of various parameters, including technical characteristics of engineering objects, climatic conditions and soil lithology in the field of modeling thermal fields. The presented numerical calculations show the possibility of using these models and algorithms for forecasting of the development of thermal processes in the soil. Minimization of heat effect of the systems inserted into permafrost will avoid accidents, in particular, at oil and gas fields related to the changes in temperature of the soil, and increase the stability of the building with pile foundations. In the paper the possibility of the heat impact compensation in permafrost is discussed. © 2021 Author(s).