An Introduction to Foundations in Areas of Significant Frost Penetration

J. Paul Guyer, P.E., R.A., Fellow ASCE, Fellow AEI

Course Outline

1.  INTRODUCTION
2.  FACTORS AFFECTING DESIGN OF FOUNDATIONS
3.  SITE INVESTIGATIONS
4.  FOUNDATION DESIGN

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

Upon completion of this course you will:

• Learn about the characteristics of seasonal frost and permafrost and how they affect the foundations of buildings and other infrastructure;
• Learn the geographical regions of North American where significant frost penetration is an issue in design of foundations;
• Learn how the more intense the winter cooling of the frozen layer in the annual frost zone and the more rapid the rate of frost heave, affects the intensity of uplift forces in piles and foundation walls;
• Learn about the engineering problems that may arise in areas of significant frost penetration such as the difficulty of excavating and handling ground when it is frozen; soft and wet ground conditions during thaw periods; surface and subsurface drainage problems; special behavior and handling requirements for natural and manufactured materials at low temperatures and under freeze-thaw action; possible ice uplift and thrust action on foundations; condensation on cold floors; adverse conditions of weather, cost, and sometimes accessibility; in the more remote locations, limited local availability of materials, support facilities, and labor; and reduced labor efficiency at low temperatures;
• Learn about progressive freezing and frost heave of foundations that may develop under refrigerated warehouses and other similar facilities;
• Learn about the most important factors contributing to the existence of adverse foundation conditions in seasonal frost and permafrost regions; and
• Learn how freezing and thawing indexes are employed in foundation design.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for civil engineers, structural engineers, geotechnical engineers, geologists and other design and construction professionals wanting an introduction to methods and techniques for accommodating frost penetration issues in design of foundations and footings for buildings and structures.

Benefit for Attendee

This course will give engineers and other design and construction professionals an introduction to design of structure foundations in seasonal and permafrost regions.

Course Introduction

This is an introduction to methods for design of structure foundations in regions of significant frost penetration.

About Course Author

Paul Guyer is a registered mechanical engineer, civil engineer, fire protection engineer and architect with over 35 years experience in the design of buildings and related infrastructure.  For an additional 9 years he was a senior-level advisor to the California Legislature on infrastructure and capital outlay issues.  He has designed and supervised the design of hundreds of construction projects requiring the preparation of detailed working drawings and specifications for federal, state and local public agencies and private companies.  He is a graduate of Stanford University and has held numerous national, state and local positions with the American Society of Civil Engineers and National Society of Professional Engineers.

Course Content

The course content is contained in the following PDF file:

An Introduction to Foundations in Areas of Significant Frost Penetration

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Course Summary

This course will give you an introduction to the design and construction issues for foundations in frost penetration regions.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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