“Much energy and money will be saved by not heating those archaic facilities,” said Stella Marco, project manager, NewYork District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The consolidation effort will reduce the size of the base by 40 percent. The Army Corps is doing this by demolishing 31 old buildings and building new structures closer together in the central area of the base where essential services are located, including the airfield and hangars, dining facility, and hospital. The main structures that are being constructed are dormitories for non- commissioned officers who are visiting or on temporary duty at Thule. Presently, the Army Corps is working on five dormitory projects. This includes constructing flattop and high rise dormitories and renovating 636 existing dorm rooms. The Army Corps is also constructing a base supply and civil engineer- ing shop and a vehicle maintenance and pavements and grounds facil- ity. Other possible projects include expanding the base’s air passenger terminal and air freight terminal. These new and renovated buildings are going to be heated with an upgraded heating system. The base’s heating plant is receiving new, more energy-efficient exhaust gas heat recovery boilers and engines. The new system will recover waste heat from the engines for produc- tion of steam to the steam distribution system that is being converted to a hot water system. Performing construction in an Arctic environment is challenging, and the Army Corps is an expert on this after having performed work for the base for more than half a century. Consolidation is always good as a way to save energy and money, but it is even more important in the Arctic. “At such a remote and cold location, construction, maintenance, and utility costs are very high,” said Markus Tyboroski, site support engineer, Thule Air Base. “For example, it costs three times as much to build a new facility at Thule as compared to an average location in the United States, and annual fuel costs for power and heating are $12 million.” “This consolidation will result in reduced base operation and main- tenance costs and will provide energy savings,” said Rodriguez. “It’s estimated that there will be an energy reduction of 35 percent. Since 2009, when the consolidation was starting up, the base has saved al- most $37 million in energy savings and in base operating costs.” Ultimately, the consolidation effort is to benefit the airmen protecting our nation. Rodriguez said, “The consolidation will provide airmen improved support because they are receiving modernized facilities and the buildings will be closer together. It’s great to see the project funded and in the works.”
Bldg. 101 in construction: Note the raised footing for proper ventilation to maintain the permafrost conditions. The steel frame will be enclosed with a pitched metal roof and insulated exterior panels. Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Construction challenges in the Arctic Construction in the Arctic can be challenging because of severe weather and limited daylight, which requires the use of unique building materials, techniques, and fast-paced construction. Most of northern Greenland is covered with permafrost — perma- nently frozen ground ranging from 6 feet to 1,600 feet in depth. This requires structures to be constructed with a special elevated Arctic foundation. If buildings are not constructed off of the ground, the heat from inside the building can melt the permafrost, making the ground unstable and causing buildings to sink. Buildings are elevated 3 feet from the ground with the use of spread footings that are about 10 feet deep and concrete columns that come up and support the floor system above the ground. Construction takes place during the summer and autumn months when the temperature is a “balmy” 40 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter, temperatures can be as low as minus 30 degrees Fahren- heit. It is also during this time of year that there is sufficient daylight. Because of Thule’s proximity to the North Pole, the region has 24 hours of sunlight from May thru August and 24 hours of darkness from November thru February. The warmer weather makes it possible to break up the iced-in shipping lanes. This allows cargo ships into port that are sup- plied with fuel and building materials. Building materials include prefabricated parts so that the workers can perform construction rapidly. Materials include concrete foundations, insulated steel and metal walls, and roof panels. When winter arrives, workers begin interior construction. This work includes constructing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems that are designed to withstand extreme frigid sub-zero temperatures.
JOANNE CASTAGNA, ED.D. , is a public affairs specialist and writer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District. She can be contacted at joanne. castagna@usace.army.mil.
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april 2018
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