Roadway embankment stabilization on permafrost using thermosyphons with Y-shaped evaporators

Constructing surface facilities on permafrost soils is a substantial engineering challenge. Moreover, evading thaw-settlement on roadway embankments is not an easy task due to the shifting thermal regime of underground soil because of seasonal temperature variations. Of all engineered cooling solutions available to stabilize permafrost, thermosyphons have attracted many researchers because of the benefits of using this cooling method compared with other methods. In this paper, we describe the optimization of thermosyphons with a Y-shaped evaporator. The cooling effects were compared with those of a conventional parallel design. The optimal spacing between thermosyphons for both the parallel design and the proposed Y-shaped design are documented.