The impact of climate change on the implementation of transport infrastructure construction projects in the Arctic
Abstract
The impact of climate change on the implementation of transport infrastructure construction projects in the Arctic
Incoming article date: 30.04.2022Significant climatic changes are currently observed in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, the intensity of which is 2.5 times higher than the average planetary level. The continental and shelf zones of the Arctic region of the Russian Federation contain a significant amount of minerals, including hydrocarbons. The cost of extracting this raw material on the mainland of the Russian Federation is becoming more expensive due to the depletion of existing deposits. In connection with this and the observed climatic changes, the Government of the Russian Federation has begun active development of this region. The development of the Arctic region is associated with the construction and reconstruction of port hydraulic structures included in the Northern Sea Route, the expansion of port infrastructure and the construction of terminals for liquefied natural gas. The current construction regulatory documentation of the Russian Federation does not provide for accounting for changes in wave, ice and hydrostatic loads on port hydraulic structures during their operation due to projected climatic changes in the region. The issue of the need to take into account climatic changes in the design of port hydraulic structures in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation is considered. Conclusions are drawn that taking into account climatic changes will reduce the cost of major repairs during the life cycle of structures and reduce the risks of accidents caused by the operation of structures under design loads.
Keywords: climate change, construction projects in the Russian Arctic, port hydraulic structures, western Arctic