Oedometer tests on frozen cores from Qaanaaq, Greenland

This report summarizes incremental loading oedometer tests conducted on specimens of frozen fine grained sediments from the Qaanaaq area. As part of the site investigations conducted in Qaanaaq in the summer of 2017, 23 boreholes were drilled using a Nordmeyer DSB 3 drill rig. As the area is affected by continuous permafrost, the boreholes were drilled using a special hollow stem auger (ice auger) for coring of fine grained frozen sediments, while coarser sediments and rock were drilled using down-the-hole (DTH) hammer. Intact permafrost cores were described and photodocumented onsite. They were then packed in Tubolit foam tubes for insulation and placed in core boxes in a temperature controlled container at a temperature of −10 °C for shipment to Denmark, where they were classified and tested in the Permafrost Laboratory of the Technical University of Denmark.