In the world’s harshest regions, temperatures drop far below what most machines, materials and people can endure. Yet, despite these challenges, engineers have devised innovative solutions to thrive in these frozen environments. From unforgiving tundra to the icy expanses of the Antarctic, the engineering feats that allow survival in extreme cold are nothing short of remarkable. Let’s look at some of the ways engineers take on the cold weather!
Arctic Engineering: Conquering the Permafrost
During the design process, an engineer must keep two crucial factors in mind: the project’s location and its climate. Freezing areas like the Arctic contain permafrost, which is a layer of permanently frozen ground. While permafrost is stable when frozen, it begins to shift and deform when temperatures rise. In this kind of unstable environment, it’s tricky to build a conventional structure. So, how do engineers work around this?
Design Strategies
Engineers first determine the frost line, average ground temperature and impact of snow and ice when designing a roadway or a building’s foundation. Roofs are built with light-colored materials to help melt accumulating snow, while technology powered by the Internet of Things (IOT) can detect heavy snowfall on a roof before it may collapse. Buildings are specially insulated against the cold.
Elevating Structures
In some regions of Alaska, elevated structures built on stilts or pilings driven deep into the earth help keep a building steady on uneasy ground. Thermosiphons are passive cooling devices that contain a refrigerant, which circulates via phase change to absorb and dissipate heat, thereby keeping the permafrost frozen. Otherwise, if the permafrost melts, the building may shift or even sink into the ground!
Trial and Error
Early Antarctic structures, like the poorly insulated Discovery Hut, taught engineers valuable lessons in building for extreme cold. Scientists and engineers constantly improve on what didn’t work in these environments.
Material Fatigue in Extreme Cold
In sub-zero temperatures, materials like metal become brittle and more susceptible to failure or thermal contraction, which can be catastrophic. Metal fatigue (when metal loses its flexibility and fractures under stress) accelerates in extreme cold. For example, steel — commonly used in construction — loses much of its durability at temperatures below freezing.
Specialized alloys and composites are used in many cold-weather machines and structures instead. Copper and cupronickel, for example, are chosen for their low thermal expansion coefficients and high ductility, which make them resistant to brittleness and fracture in temperatures as low as –450°F.
Fuel and Battery Solutions: Powering Up in the Cold
Reliable power is another concern in an icy climate. For example, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline needs to have the oil it transports heated to prevent it from solidifying in sub-zero temperatures. Engineers ensure that the pipelines’ internal heaters keep the oil fluid as it travels hundreds of miles through some of the harshest climates on Earth.
At extremely low temperatures, diesel fuel gels and conventional batteries lose their charges quickly, which makes powering infrastructure and machinery difficult. Systems that heat and insulate fuel lines, machinery and electronic equipment help in keeping them more reliable. Researchers are also developing small, lightweight batteries with high-energy output that are efficient in cold climates.
Since traditional fuels can be challenging to transport in remote regions, renewable energy sources are on the rise as clean and efficient alternatives. For example, wind turbines fitted with de-icing systems are commonly used in parts of Scandinavia or Canada. Engineers also implement waste heat recovery systems generated by machines and generators.
Human Survival and Comfort in Extreme Cold
The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station located on “The Ice” (what locals affectionately call Antarctica) employs advanced insulation and climate control to protect inhabitants from temperatures as low as −136°F (−93.2°C), the coldest recorded on Earth. While coastlines tend to stay a little warmer, most days stay below freezing.
To ensure survival, engineers build robust heating systems and insulated living quarters with triple-glazed windows and highly efficient insulation. For those working outside, snow vehicles and other equipment are fitted with heating units to protect both engines and drivers from life-threatening temperatures.
Cold Climate Aviation Engineering
What about flying in the extreme cold? Aircraft operating in sub-zero temperatures face issues like ice buildup on wings and control surfaces, fuel freezing and reduced hydraulic system efficiency. To combat the cold, engineers have designed de-icing systems, like:
- pneumatic boots
- electric heaters
- chemical anti-icing fluids
Engineers also implement fuel additives to lower the freezing point of jet fuel. Hydraulic fluids that remain effective at low temperatures are used to ensure a safe and smooth ride in extreme cold conditions.
The Future of Cold Climate Engineering
As engineers make remote places safer place to visit and global interest in the Arctic grows due to new shipping routes, natural resources and climate research, the demand for resilient infrastructure in these regions is on the rise. Engineers turn to smart materials and thermal innovations that can adapt to fluctuating temperatures while reducing energy consumption.
The development of new technologies for the extreme cold isn’t just about survival: it’s also about helping move us into a sustainable tomorrow. The future is bright!
Explore Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin
Imagine designing and engineering structures that can withstand the world’s toughest environments. UT Austin’s entirely online master’s degree in mechanical engineering will equip you with the specialized skills needed to face the challenges of working in extremely cold or hot environments. You’ll gain expertise in:
- advanced materials
- thermal systems
- structural analysis
- fluid mechanics
- energy systems
- materials science
- autonomous systems
Along with these crucial topics, you’ll be equipped with the critical thinking and technical expertise needed to overcome the complexities of engineering in the world’s coldest, most extreme regions – or wherever your engineering journey may take you.
Ready to become part of the next generation of engineers building a sustainable future in the world’s most challenging environments? Apply today to take the next step.
