Infrastructure Constructions in the Arctic

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of permafrost landforms and processes in the context of changing climate.
• Conduct drilling operations in sediments and bedrock
• Plan and conduct classification experiments sediment and rock samples, and evaluate the results
• Investigate subsurface conditions using geotechnical and geophysical methods in the Arctic
• Design infrastructure constructions like roads, harbors, tunnels etc. for industrial installations in remote areas
• Design a thermal model of an infrastructure construction, and use it to evaluate changes in the thermal regime based on variations in climatic and geometric impacts.
• Design constructions in areas with permafrost
• Work with a interdisciplinary team to solve practical, solution-oriented problems (examples from Greenland and other Arctic regions)

Core elements:
– Geotechnics and Geophysics
– Infrastructure Constructions

Topics:
Site investigations
Geophysics measurement methods
Permafrost
Construction of roads, harbours and landing strips
Infrastructure

The course in 2026 will focus specifically on infrastructure in permafrost regions, and harbour constructions in the Arctic.

11857/30857/11858/41882/11859/12859, A background in civil engineering, geotechnical/geological engineering, or related fields + the above mentioned courses or corresponding arctic experience. Some basic programming experience is recommendced

Lectures, Project/Group work, supervision, and field work.

The course takes place in Sisimiut, Greenland

The course shall be taken as part of the Arctic Semester. However, it can also be taken as a stand-alone course if seats are available (‘Part Semester 2’).

The course can be taken as a stand-alone course under Open University if seats are available.

The course can be taken separately by CCE – Space track students and BEng in Arctic Civil Engineering students.

“Full semester”: Please consult the coordinator of the Arctic Semester for advice regarding your study plan and Polytechnical Foundation courses. For more information, visit the Arctic Semester homepage: https://www.dtu.dk/arctic-semester.

Students must bring their own computer, which will be used for modelling and GIS assignments; there is no access to databar.

Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15.

Please be aware that this course has a minimum requirement for the number of participants needed, in order for it to be held. If these requirements are not met, then the course will not be held. Furthermore, there is a limited number of seats available. If there are too many applicants, a pool will be created for the remainder of the qualified applicants, and they will be selected at random. You will be informed 8 days before the start of the course, whether you have been allocated a spot.