The purpose of the CPA Engineering Resources Action Group is to identify, organize, and make available relevant sources of information to support engineering activities in permafrost regions. The product will be a database of engineering resources, classified with brief descriptions and applicability to the Canadian context.
Engineering activities in permafrost environments require a very good understanding of the properties of frozen ground and on the changes to these properties that are likely to occur due to changes in thermal state induced by site disturbance or climate change. Information on geotechnical studies, embankment design, foundation design and construction on permafrost is scarce and not always applicable or reliable.
Objectives
The objectives of the action group are:
1. Assemble a compendium of information sources on permafrost engineering to assist early career or inexperienced engineers
2. organize the information based on relevance and applicability for different types of engineering activities
3. Make the information easily available through the CPA website.
The PERAG is responsible for the identification of relevant permafrost engineering information, including, but not limited to:
1. General information on permafrost environment;
2. Geotechnical studies in permafrost
3. Embankment and foundation design adapted to permafrost
4. Construction logistic and methods adapted to permafrost
5. Project management
Information to be considered include permafrost engineering standards, text books, technical guidelines, engineering or scientific papers, web sites or other relevant sources.
The group is also responsible for the classification of the information source, based on its applicability in the Canadian context.
1. The AG decides on a work plan, specific tasks and schedule to achieve the objectives.
2. The board identifies chair and group members.
3. Board of Directors reviews and supports.
a. Annual work plan,
b. budget requests, and
c. formal communications with CPA members.
Chair and/or co-chair
1. Must be CPA members
2. Must be approved by Board of Directors
3. Commit to serve for the least of 2 years or time required to achieve the group objectives
Group Members
1. Must be CPA members
2. Commit to serve for 1 year
3. Approximately 6-8 members with different backgrounds.
1. The AG members should meet at on a quarterly basis or as decided by the group.
2. The AG has a shared drive, where the President Elect/Past President can add/remove members as needed.
3. Meeting notes must include date, attendance, topics discussed and decisions made and are submitted to the President Elect/Past President and available on the Shared Drive.
1. The AG reports to the President Elect/Past President. However the format and frequency will evolve over the next few years.
2. The President Elect/Past President should attend the meetings. If the President Elect/Past President is unable to attend the meeting, the meeting notes or an informal conversation with the Chair is good options to stay informed.
3. The Chair and President Elect/Past President should communicate frequently, especially: within the first two years of establishment of the AG, during times of transition (e.g., position changes), and at the beginning of each year when priorities are being established.
4. After the Committee and Chair are comfortable running without the President Elect/Past President’s input, meeting attendance can be reduced.
5. It is the responsibility of both the President Elect/Past President and Chair to communicate with one another, and a formal report from the Chair is not required.
Resources available include assistance from the board when needed. The AG functions online, however physical resources and equipment can be rented or purchased as required. The AG can request approval for funds from the CPA Board of Directors.
It is expected that the objectives of the project can be achieved within a period of 24 months after the formation of the AG. After completion of the work, it is expected that the mandate of the action group will be modified to allow for periodic updates on the compendium of permafrost engineering resources.
Date of current version: February 2024
Next date of review: February 2025.
As of February 12, 2025:
Sohail Akhtar – EC
Lukas Arenson
Maria Baron - EC
Ryley Beddoe
Guy Dore
Barb Fortin
Brent Hay
Jocelyn Hayley
Biao Li
Zakieh Mohammadi - EC
Robyn Starycki - EC
Where EC – Early Career
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