Foundations
A building’s foundation must be carefully engineered to support the weight of the structure. In cold climates, foundations are susceptible to heat loss and damage related to surrounding soil conditions.
With 80% of Alaska underlaid by permafrost, or permanently frozen ground, one of the greatest challenges is building foundations that can remain stable over time. For anyone building in a region with permafrost, climate change is exacerbating the problem, causing permafrost thaw and ground to settle.
The Cold Climate Housing Research Center has resources for building foundations, whether you’re building on solid rock or frozen soils susceptible to movement.
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