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Siberian scientists develop foundations for perennially frozen grounds

Wood, due to its low thermal conductivity, reduces the risk of warming foundations, and in case of using metal structures, the platforms have necessary mechanical strength

KRASNOYARSK, February 16. /TASS/. Scientists of the Siberian Federal University in Krasnoyarsk developed foundations of wood and metal, which could be used in the permafrost, the University's expert at the Civil Engineering Institute Maxim Semenov told TASS.

About 65% of the Russian territory is taken by perennially frozen grounds. Hence special attention is paid to development and construction of foundations to withstand probable thawing processes.

"We have developed a spatial foundation platform that is less sensitive to deformations of the foundation soil due to the structure's integral effectiveness compared to other foundations. For this and certain other reasons, the platform's use is promising. Engineering wood or metal can be used as the main materials to make such foundation platforms," the expert said, adding precast reinforced concrete is difficult to transport, and monolithic reinforced concrete slows down significantly the building process.

Wood, due to its low thermal conductivity, reduces the risk of warming foundations, and in case of using metal structures, the platforms have necessary mechanical strength. The modular platforms will be prefabricated. Such a structure will not require much excavation, which is quite effort-consuming in permafrost conditions, he continued. The platform will consist of a few parts to be assembled, and thus its transportation and logistics will not be complicated. Moreover, the Krasnoyarsk scientists have developed a product, which cuts building terms and which may be used in winter.

The Siberian Federal University is Russia's first federal university, organized in 2006 as a merger of four universities in Krasnoyarsk. It is the biggest university in Russia's eastern part.