Proceedings of the Fourth Muskeg Research Conference

Publisher’s version / Version de l'éditeur:

Vous avez des questions? Nous pouvons vous aider. Pour communiquer directement avec un auteur, consultez la

première page de la revue dans laquelle son article a été publié afin de trouver ses coordonnées. Si vous n’arrivez pas à les repérer, communiquez avec nous à PublicationsArchive-ArchivesPublications@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Questions? Contact the NRC Publications Archive team at

PublicationsArchive-ArchivesPublications@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca. If you wish to email the authors directly, please see the first page of the publication for their contact information.

https://publications-cnrc.canada.ca/fra/droits

L’accès à ce site Web et l’utilisation de son contenu sont assujettis aux conditions présentées dans le site LISEZ CES CONDITIONS ATTENTIVEMENT AVANT D’UTILISER CE SITE WEB.

Technical Memorandum (National Research Council of Canada. Associate Committee on Soil and Snow Mechanics), 1958-03-11

READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS WEBSITE. https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/copyright

NRC Publications Archive Record / Notice des Archives des publications du CNRC :

https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=8f609c54-263f-4efe-9f16-ce00039ae0a0 https://publications-cnrc.canada.ca/fra/voir/objet/?id=8f609c54-263f-4efe-9f16-ce00039ae0a0

NRC Publications Archive

Archives des publications du CNRC

For the publisher’s version, please access the DOI link below./ Pour consulter la version de l’éditeur, utilisez le lien DOI ci-dessous.

https://doi.org/10.4224/40001143

Access and use of this website and the material on it are subject to the Terms and Conditions set forth at Proceedings of the Fourth Muskeg Research Conference

NAT1OITA.L RESEARCH COUNCIL O F CANADA

A S S O C I A T E COMMITTEE ON S O I L AM) SNOW bECHAl'?ICS

P R O C E E D I N G S O F THE

FOUR!El MUSKEG RESEARCH CONFERENCE MARCH 11, 1958

%NPXYZED

T e c h n i c a l M e m o r a n d u m N o . 54

O t t a w a A u g u s t 1958

This is the record of the Fourth Annual Muskeg Research Conference which was held at the Building Research Centre

of the National Research Council in Ottawa on March 11, 1958. The conference,

sponsored by the Associate Committee on Soil and Snow Mechanics of the National Research Council, considered three main subjects

-

vehicles and trafficability, mechanical properties of peat and drainage problems. A list of those in attendance is included as Appendix "A" of these proceedings. The morning session was

under the chairmanship of Mr. R.A. Hemstock. Progress reports were read from the various centres of muskeg research in Canada,

Dr. Radforth reported on his recent trip to the U.S.S.R. and two papers were pre- sented and discussed. The afternoon session was chaired by Dean R.M. Hardy.

TABLE OF CONTENTS MORNING SESSION

Page

Section 1

-

Introductory Remarks Section 2

-

Progress Reports

1. Muskeg Research Laboratory, Mcllhster University, by Miss J. Eve1

2(a) Muskeg Subcommittee by I.C. MacFarlane 2(b) Muskeg Research at the Mvision of

Building Research, National Research Council by I.C. Macparlane

Section 3

-

Muskeg Research in the U.S.S.R. by N.W. Radforth

Section

4

-

Vehicles and Trafficability

1. Some Aspects of the Terrain Problems in Northwestern Canada by

L. Keeling

2. Vehicle Mobility Performance in Muskeg

-

A Preliminary Report by J. G.

Thomson

Section

5

-

Mechanical Properties of Peat 1. A review of Published Material on

Engineering Tests of Peat by I. C

.

MacFarlane ( summary )

2. The Muskeg Problem in B,C. Highway Cons-truction by C .O , Bravmer 3. Notes on the Mechanical Properties

of Peat by N.D. Lea, presented by M.A.J. IvIatich

Section 6

-

Drainage Problems

1. !Cheery of Measurement in Relation to Drainage and Bearing Strength of Muskeg by N. W. Radforth 2. Drainage Systems and Machinery by

J.V. Healy

APPENDIX A

-

LIST OF THOSE PRESENT AT THE FOURTK MUSKEG RESEARCH CONFEREETCE

NIORNIXG SESSION Section 1

IWTRODUCTORY REMARKS

After registration, W , R.F. Legget, Director of the Division of Building Research was introduced by Dr.

Radforth who pointed out that it was due to Mr. Legget1s vision twelve or thirteen years ago that muskeg research in Canada was initiated. He was the one person at that time who was aware of the significance of muslreg in Canada as to the developaent and expansion of the country and the economic implications involved. Dr. Radforth expressed pleasure that h k . Legget was able to attend a Muskeg Research Conference for the first time.

M r . Legget than welcomed all those present on behalf

of the National Research Council, the Associate Committee on Soil and Snow lv!echanics and the Division of Building Research. He pointed out that the background of the Con- ference is the fact that the A.C.S.S.M. is concerned with stimulatiq research into Canada's terrain and seeing

that the rssults of this research are put to good use. Mr.

Legget mentioned the muskeg research being carried out in the U.S.S.R. and said that this presented a special challenge to Canada. He then expressed his appreciation of

Dr.

Radforth'

s

work at Mclkster University.

Dr. Radforth introduced the Secretary of the Muskeg Subcommittee, M r . I.C. MacParlane, who made announcements concerning the availability of muskeg literature, the visit to the Soil Mechanics Laboratory and luncheon arrange men*^.

Dr. Radforth then introduced D k . R.A. Hemstock of Imporial Oil Limited, the Chairman of the morning session.

S e c t i o n 2

P r o g r e s s R e p o r t s

1. Muskeg Research L a b o r a t o r y , I~fclt5aster U n i v e r s i t y

Miss J, Eve1

Muskeg r e s e a r c h i s now d e r i v i n g some measure of j u s t i f i c a t i o n from t h e need shown by e n g i n e e r i n g i n t e r e s t s f o r some s u i t a b l e and p r a c t i c a l means of s o l v i n g t h e i r muskeg problems, The b a s i s of t h e approach t o muskeg r e s e a r c h a t Mcldaster U n i v e r s i t y h a s been t o d i s c o v e r a means o f c l a s s i f i c a t i o n f o r muskeg. This system, based on b i o l o g i c a l s t r u c t u r e , p r i n c i p l e s and form, has been s e t f o r t h i n v a r i o u s p u b l i c a t i o n s . It i s now t h o u g h t t h a t t h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n system w i t h a l l i t s r e l a t e d i m p l i c a t i o n s , i s proving t o be s a t i s f a c t o r y t h r o u g h more widespread a p p l i - c a t i o n ,

D u r i n g t h e past y e a r t h e aims o f t h e MclJIaster

Muskeg L a b o r a t o r y have been t o a s c e r t a i n whether a r e l a t i o n - s h i p e x i s t e d between t h e q u a n t i t a t i v e a n a l y s i s o f o r g a n i c t e r r a i n s t r u c t u r e and i t s s h e a r s t r e n g t h , and t o a s s e s s t h e r e l z t i o n s h i p of b e a r i n g c a p a c i t y and d e p t h range i n o r g a n i c t e r r a i n , These f a c t o r s have a l s o been c o o r d i n a t e d w i t h t h e work of t h e l a b o r a t o r y i n a e r i a l i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s u p p o r t e d by t h e Defence Research Board. It i s hoped t h a t t h e

p r i n c i p l e s by which s h e a r s t r e n g t h c a n be r e l a t e d t o t h e b i o l o g i c a l o r g a n i z a t i o n i n p e a t s w i l l be d e r i v e d and t h a t a b a s i s f o r t h e c o r r e l a t i o n o f b e a r i n g c a p a c i t y t o d e p t h r a n g e i n o r g a n i c t e r r a i n w i l l soon bo e s t a b l i s h e d . The development of q u a n t i t a t i v e methods of i n t e r p r e t a t i o n p r o v i d e s t h e first encouraging c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h i s end.

The importance o f f i n d i n g a method whereby t h e f a c t o r s c o n t r o l l i n g p e a t f o r m a t i o n c a n be understood has

been demonstrated and s e t f o r t h i n t h e p a p e r by N,W, R a d f o r t h and H.R.N, Q d t e n t i t l e d : " B o t a n i c a l D e r i v a t i v e s C o n t r i b u t i n g t o t h e S t r u c t u r e o f Major P e a t Types". This work i s con- t i n u i n g and i s b e i n g a p p l i e d t o t h e d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n o f h i &

and lorn moor p e a t s i n S c o t l a n d ,

T h i s work h a s c o n t r i b u t e d t o fundamental p l a n t s c i e n c e by d e m o n s t r a t i n g a means of r e l a t i n g modern v e g e t a t i o n t o p a l a e o e c o l o g i c a l deve)opment. A system whereby s u b - s u r f a c e s t r u c t u r e on a q u a n t i t a t i v e b a s i s c a n be r e l a t e d t o t h e p r e s e n t n a t u r a l d - i s L r i b u t i o n o f c o n s t i - t u e n t s h a s been evolved, This r e l a t i o n s h i p now c a n be

a n t i c i p a t e d from t h e a i r . L a s t summer a permanent r e f e r e n c e c o l l e c t i o n of modern p o l l e n t y p e s o f t h e C h u r c h i l l a r e a was made f o r t h e p u r p o s e s of comparison w i t h f o s s i l p o l l e n .

The Dureau of Economics and Statistics of British Columbia has reported on the application of the principles of muskeg research in areas in the northeastern portion of that province. It was found that agriculture and forestry could be carried on successfulls in those areas once a survey of existing conditions was made for drainage and access possibilities. This report also has recommended to the province that personnel-be trained in muskeg inter- pretation as a means of reducing operational costs.

During a visit to Russia, organic terrain features were found comparable to those experienced in Canadian muskegs. The opportunity of visiting Russia has provided a valuable step in confirming the application of the classi- fication system. It has been found that while muskegs may differ as to represented species, the fundamental factors for classification a r e constant.

Some results of the application of the classifi- cation system for muskeg have come to light. An analysis of our prc~cedures has enabled us to provide quantitative designations for such factors as bearing capacity, porosity and permeability and stabilization of slopes. The importance of vehicle design in relation to terrain conditions has

also been stressed.

Scientific papers presented for publication before the end of the fiscal year are as follows:

"Organic Terrain Organization from the Air (altitudes

1,000 to 5,000 feet), Handbook a a a d f o r t h .

D e ~ t . of National Defence. Defence Research Board DR No. 124. ~tsawa, Feb. 1958.

"Illuskeg Impedence Factors Controlling Vehicle ~obility" by Norman W. Radforth and Jean libel. Canadian Oil and Gas Industries, fi1arch 1958.

"Theory of Measu.rement in Relation to Drainage and Beariry;

Streng.thof by Noman W. Radforth, Nhrch 1958.

"The Slipe-Haul Method for Organic Terrain ~ccess" by

I J O ~ ~ - n - \i; Hadf orth.

IZlhe IvIuskeg Research Laboratory at McMaster University has been aid-ed in its program by grants from the National Research Council and the Defence Research Board. Acknow- ledgment is made of this assistance and appreciation ex- pressed for the encouragement of these organizations.

Muskeg Subcommittee

I.

C. MacFarlane

The Muskeg Subcommittee is a group of 10 members (consisting of people interested in or involved with various aspects of the muskeg problem) appointed by the Associate Committee on Soil and Snow Mechanics on a two-year rotating membership basis. The list of current members is as follows:

Dr. N.W. Radforth, McY~ster University, Chairman

Mr. W.C. Harrison, Manitoba Paper Company, Pine Falls, Manitoba

Dean R.M. Hardy, University of Alberta, Edmonton

Mr.

T.A. Haiwood, Defence Research Board, Ottawa

Mr.

R.A. Hemstock, Imperial Oil Limited, Calgary

Dr.

A. Leahey, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa

Mr.

J,O, Martineau, P.Q. Department of Highways, Quebec

Mr.

B.C. Nowlan, Bell Telephone Co., Montreal

Dr.

Jaan Terasmae, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa

Mr. I,C, MacFarlane, Division of Building Research Secretary

In

addition, there are three Advisory Members:

Dr.

A.E. Porsild, Department of Northern Affairs & National Resources, Ottawa

Nlr. G.W. Rowley, Department of Northern Affairs

& National Resources, Ottawa

Dr. J.

Walton, University of Glasgorn, Scotland

The Muskeg Subcommittee has, in its terms of reference, concern with the study of fundamental physical, chemical aria mechanical properties of muskeg sail (more properly, "peat") with reference to practical engineering problems. Within the field so defined, the Subcommittee gathers necessary information on the state of knov~ledge in the field, and particular!! on research work in progress in. Canada, and advises the Council, through the parent commit-tee, on the

collection and dissemination of research information generally in this field. The Subcommittee investigates and stimulates research work in Canada in its assigned field and serves as a liaison between the National Research Council and

government, educational and other organizations or agencies engaged in or concerned with research on muskeg.

The major function of the Subcommittee has been to organize these research meetings. The first conference was held in Edmonton in Ivlarch 1955, the second was in Quebec City

i n February 1956 and t h e T h i r d Muskeg Research conference t o o k p l a c e i n Vancouver i n February 1957. Las-t y e a r ' s two-day conference was most s u c c e s s f u l and was a t t e n d e d by a b o u t 60 _{people. The p r o c e e d i n g s of t h e s e c o n f e r e n c e s}

a r e a v a i l a b l e from t h e S e c r e t a r y of t h e A.C.S.S.li1.

The past few y e a r s have shown i n c r e a s i n g i n t e r e s t i n muskeg r e s e a r c h and t h e Subcommittee i s a n x i o u s t o pro- vSde e f f e c t i v e l y t h e s e r v i c e f o r which i t was s e t up.

Its b u s i n e s s meeting, always h e l d i n c o n j u n c t i o n mith t h e c o n f e r e n c e s , w i l l meet l a t e r i n t h e day t o d i s c u s s how i t c a n b e s t prornote and s t i m u l a t e muskeg r e s e a r c h i n Canada.

2 (b)

.

Muskeg Research a t t h e D i v i s i o n o f B u i l d i n g R e s e a r c g t E 3 a t i o n a l Research Council

The t e r m s o f r e f e r e n c e of t h e muskeg r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t a t t h e D i v i s i o n a r e simply " t o determine t h e p h y s i c a l and mechanical p r o p e r t i e s o f muskeg". S i n c e t h e r e i s v e r y l i t - l ; l e a v a i l a b l e i n f o r m a t i o n on t h i s s t u d y , time must be s p e n t on t h e p r e l i m i n a r y t a s k o f c o l l e c t i n g and c o r r e l a t i n g t h e e x i s t i n g knov~ledge. I n r e c e n t months, however, a c o n c e r t e d e f f o r t has been made toviards a more fundamental approach t o t h e problem, and a number o f

e x p l o r a t o r y l a b o r a t o r y s t u d i e s have been u n d e r t a k e n . The t e s t s c a r r i e d o u t on a number of t u b e samples i n c l u d e d c o n s o l i d a t i o n , p e r m e a b i l i t y and l a b o r a t o r y vane t e s t s , t o g e t h e r w i t h r o u t i n e testa such a s wa-ter c o n t e n t , d e n s i t y , o r g a n i c c o n t e n t , a c i d i t y and s p e c i f i c g r a v i t y of s o i l s o l i d s .

The c o n s o l i d a t i o n t e s t s p r e s e n t e d no g r e a t d i f f i c u l t y

w i t h t h e t y p e o f p e a t samples used (amorphous g r a n u l a r ) e x c e p t f o r t h e abnormally l a r g e d e g r e e of c o n s o l i d a t i o n . T h i s sometimes amounted t o 3/4 i n . f o r a 1 i n . t h i c k sample, which t a x e d t h e a b i l i t y of t h e p r e s e n t equipment t~ t h e

l i m i t . Each l o a d increment remained on f o r 24 h o u r s , a l t h o u g h c o n s o l i d a t i o n probably w a s n o t a c t u a l l y complete by t h e end of t h a t time. I n f u t u r e t e s t programs each increment o f l o a d w i l l be allowed t o a c t f o r a l o n g e r p e r i o d .

P e r m e a b i l i t y t e s t s were c a r r i e d o u t i n c o n j u n c t i o n

w i t h t h e c o n s o l i d a t i o n t e s t s , a s e r i e s o f t e s t s b e i n g r u n a f t e r each l o a d increment had a c t e d f o r 2 4 h o u r s . This

c o u l d be done o n l y d u r i n g t h e e a r l y s t a g e s o f c o n s o l i d a t i o n t e s t i n g s i n c e t h e p e r m e a b i l i t y o f samples d e c r e a s e d t o a

p o i n t below t h e c a p a c i t y o f t h e equipment a v a i l a b l e t o measure it. P e r m e a b i l i t y wasrfound t o v a r y w i t h 'the

magnitude of t h e l o a d and w a s n o t c o n s t a n t o v e r a p e r i o d of t i m e b u t d e c r e a s e d n o t i c e a b l y t h r o u g h o u t t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n s . L a b o r a t o r y vane t e s t s shawed v e r y s c a t t e r e d r e s u l t s b u t were g e n e r a l l y c o n s i s t e n t i n t h a t a y i e l d p o i n t w a s observed i n t h e p e a t a p p r o x i m a t e l y a t t h e

l o 0

r o t a t i o n , t h e s t r e n g t l i t h e n r i s i n g t o a n u l t i m a t e v a l u e . No t r i a x i a l t e s t i n g of s o - c a l l e d u n d i s t u r b e d samples h a s been t r i e d a l t h o u g h r e c e n t l y t r i a x i a l t e s t s were r u n on t h r e e remoulded p e a t samples o f d i f f e r i n g w a t e r

c o n t e n t s . The d e n s i t i e s of u n d i s t u r b e d t u b e samples

t e s t e d ranged from 40 t o 63 lb/cu f t f o r wet d e n s i t i e s and 2.6 t o 8.4 lb/cu f t f o r d r y d e n s i t i e s . Water c o n t e n t s ranged fram 440 t o 1100 p e r cent- (weight of w a t e r t o dry w e i g h t o f s o i l ) . Water c o n t e n t appeared t o d e c r e a s e w i t h

d e p t h . For 50 samples t e s t e d , a range i n pH from 4.8 t o 6.7 w a s observed. There was no a p p a r e n t evidence of a r e l a t i o n s h i p between pH and d e p t h . There w a s a s l i g h t

r e l a t i o n s h i p between pH and o r g a n i c c o n t e n t , w i t h t h e a c i d i t y i n c r e a s i n g w i t h i n c r e a s i n g o r g a n i c m a t t e r . The a s h c o n t e n t s ranged from 4.9 p e r c e n t ( a t a d e p t h o f 6 f t ) t o 13.7 p e r c e n t ( a t a d e p t h of 9 f t 6 i n . ) . T h i s i s c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e o b s e r v a t i o n t h a t t h e o r g a n i c m a t t e r c o n t e n t g e n e r a l l y i n c r e a s e s w i t h t h e d e p t h of t h e d e p o s i t , A range of s p e c i f i c g r a v i t y of s o i l s o l i d s o f 1.47 t o 1 , 8 0 was a l s o observed. There a p p e a r s t o be a r e l a t i o n s h i p betmeen t h e s p e c i f i c g r a v i t y and t h e w a t e r c o n t e n t , t h e w a t e r c o n t e n t i n c r e a s i n g as t h e s p e c i f i c g r a v i t y d e c r e a s e s .

S p e c i a l equipment has been d e s i g n e d f a r d e t e r m i n i n g t h e p r o p e r t i e s of t h e p e a t y m a t e r i a l and t h e s u r f a c e m a t . The d e v i c e known as t h e " S o i l T r u s s " w a s t r i e d out- i n muskeg

w i t h l i t t l e s u c c e s s . I t i s a n a p p a r a t u s used f o r d e t e r m i n i n g t h e s h e a r s t r e n g t h of t h e s u r f a c e l a y e r of t h e s o i l f o r

t r a f f i c a b i l i t y purposes. I n a n a t t e m p t t o a s s e s s s t r e n g t h c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e s u r f a c e mat, t h e d e s i g n of a d e v i c e

i s b e i n g c o n s i d e r e d t h a t w i l l u t i l i z e a g r o u s e r p l a t e and

which c a n be used i n t h e f i e l d . A vane f o r measuring t h e s t r e n g t h c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e u n d e r l y i n g p e a t y m a t e r i a l w i l l be used i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h i s d e v i c e . I n co-opera- t i o n w i t h D r . R a d f o r t h a n a n c h o r d e v i c e has been d e s i g n e d and i s b e i n g c o n s t r u c t e d f o r u s e i n t h e " s l i p e - h a u l " method o f t r a n s p o r t o v e r o r g a n i c t e r r a i n . I t w i l l a l s o be used t o a s s e s s t h e s t r e n g t h c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e s u r f a c e mat.

For l a b o r a t o r y equipment, a s p e c i a l a p p a r a t u s f o r measuring d i r e c t s h e a r of p e a t samples has been d e s i g n e d and t h e p l a n s a r e b e i n g drawn up.

A s p e c i a l seminar on Muskeg Research w a s sponsored by t h e D i v i s i o n on 1 0 March. This c o n s i s t e d o f a s m a l l group o f people a c t u a l l y engaged i n muskeg r e s e a r c h o r i n v o l v e d w i t h it i n p r a c t i c a l e x p e r i e n c e . The purpose o f t h e seminar was t o o b t a i n a c r o s s - s e c t i o n of a p i n i o n , t o

determine what the actual problems are and what the Division might do in its muskeg research program to be of the greatest help to those concerned with this problem. A useful, frank all-day discussion was the result and the Division obtained valuable advice as to the further planning of the muskeg research project

.

During the past year, one paper on muskeg was issued by the Division: "Correlation of Palaeobotanical and

Ehgineering Studies of Muskeg (Peat) in Canada" by N.W.

'Radforth and 1.0. MacFarlane. NEiC 4381, Research Paper No. 35 of the Division of Building ~esearch, 0ttawa,-1957. Reprinted from the Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Ehgineering, London, 1957.

Section

3

Muskeg Research in the U. S.S.R.

N.W. Radforth

This talk is perhaps more philosophical than techni- cal but it will indicate my experiences in Russia as they occurred rather than emphasize one particular part. It was not easy to gain the privilege of entering the U.S.S.R.

and arrangements took a long time. When permission was finally granted, however, the visa was found to be valid for only

7

days, not enough time to do what

I

wished.

For the last four or five years I have wanted to visit Russia. I have been concerned about whether or not the principles of the classification system would apply over a broad geographical area and am anxious to test the system in different places. There was some apprehension that as one moved from one set of conditions to another the terms of reference for classification would have to be so markedly modified as to become questionable from the point of view of usefulness. From time to time our centre of interest has moved to different places, to northern Great Britain, the Orkney Islands and northern Scandinavia. Only the U.S.S.R. remained and we wondered whether a primary

modification of the classification system would be necessary. This was the main objective of the trip to Russia and there were two nays whereby this objective could be realized. One was that I meet Russian investigators

interested in problems similar to ours. This mas difficult to arrange as I didn't horn who these people were. We had no publications available from which to assess whether muskeg was treated seriously in the U.S.S.R. The other way was

to get about the country and see whether conditions are similar to ours and to those of other parts of the Northern Hemisphere. It has always been suspected that if any two countries in the world have an excuse for investigating muskeg problems they are Canada and Russia. Thus if the chief objective for the trip could be favourably answered

we would have a circumpolar system of reference. Ultimately

OUT language must be on an international basis so this

question can be regarded as somewhat critical.

I

went to Moscow first, and was met by a represen- tative of the Russian Academy of Sciences. F r o m there I

flew -to Leniagrad. On this 600-mile trip 1 had ample

opportunity to observe muskeg from the air.

I

saw configu- rations in the muskeg which simulate those found in the

Since we s t a r t e d our s t u d i e s on t h e ground and under t h e ground we now know what t h e s e a i r - f o r m p a t t e r n s mean i n terms of what i s on t h e ground. T h i s i s v e r y u s e f u l

a s i t i s n o t always p o s s i b l g t o observe c o n d i t i o n s from t h e ground.

I was a s k e d t o a d d r e s s t h e f a c u l t y a t t h e I n s t i t u ' b e of Botany i n Leningrad and spoke t o 300 t o 400 people t n r o u g h a n i n t e r p r e t e r . From t h e q u e s t i o n s f o l l o w i n g t h e t a l k i t

w a s a b v i o u s t h a t we were s p e a k i n g i n much t h e same t e r m s as t h e y a b o u t t h e s t n ~ c t u r e 02' muskeg.

I w a s t a k e n on a f i e l d t r i p by c a r t o a n a r e a a b o u t 100 m i l e s n o r t h e a s t of Leningrad. We t r a v e l l e d o v e r man,y m i l e s of primary and secondary r o a d s which were f l o a t r d on t h e muskeg, The t r i p ended a t a muskeg which had been c a r e f u l l y i n s t r u m e n t e d t o o b t a i n c e r t a i n i n f o r m a t i o n . I t was completely spanned by a boardwal-k a b o u t two m i l e s i n l e n g t h . The whole a r e a had been mapped h y d r o l o g i c a l l y and p h y s i o g r a p h i c a l l y . I n s t r u m e n t s were i n s t a l l e d a t i n t e r v a l s t o measure t h e w a t e r l e v e l i n t h e muskeg, t h e i n t e r v a l s b e i n g determined by changes i n p h y s i o g r a p h i c a l c h a r a c t e r i s - t i c s . I n S c o t l a n d t h e "E" c a t e g o r x i s provided by a

c e r - t a i n genus; i n Canada i t i s provided by a n o t h e r genus. I t was observed t h a t h e r e t h e "E" c a t e g o r y i s provided by b o t h s p e c i e s . A t no t i m e were t h e r e r e s t r i c t i o n s on cameras and some u s e f u l photographs were o b t a i n e d ,

I n Noscow I was t a k e n t o v i s i t t h e P e a t I n s t i t u t e . This b u i l d i n g i s s e v e r a l s t o r i e s i n h e i g h t , The I n s t i t l ~ t e h a s a s t a f f of 400 f u l l - t i m e emplayees, of which 23 a r e f u l l p r o f e s s o r s and t h e r e a r e a b o u t 1000 s t u d e n t s . T h e r e a l l p h a s e s of p e a t a r e i n v e s t i g a t e d from t h e fundamental b o t a n i c a l t o t h e e n g i n e e r i n g a s p e c t s , I w a s shown a movie of a new v e h i c l e used t o d i g d i t c h e s i n muskeg a r e a s . The t o u r of t h e b u i l d i n g was most i m p r e s s i v e , A l l t h e equip- ment observed w a s u p - t o - d a t e , X-ray d i f f r a c t i o n t e c h n i q u e s a r e used and t h e y have a v e r y modern e l e c t r o n microscope, There was one l a r g e room f i l l e d w i t h i n s t r u m e n t s used f o r measuring p r o p e r t i e s of p e a t . A l l t h i s equipment i s des-

c r i b e d i n books g i v e n t o me by t h e I n s t i t u t e , These a r e a l l w r i t t e n i n R u s s i a n , however, s o i n f o m a t i o n must a w a i t t r a n s l a t i o n ,

The l i q u e f a c t i o n method i s commonly used t o remove p e a t and a d e m o n s t r a t i o n u n i t w a s s e t u p i n t h e basement of t h e I n s t i t - u t e . Beneath t h e f l o o r i s a l a r g e t a n k of muskeg which was l i q u e f i e d ( t h e p r e s s u r e and q u a n t i t y of w a t e r

depending upon t h o p e a t t y p e ) and pumped t o a n o t h e r p l a c e i n t h e b u i l d i n g , I t m a s e v i d e n t t h a t Russian s c i e n t i s t s a r e d e d i c a t e d and e n t h u s i a s t i c people when t h e y have a problem t o s o l v e , and t h e y t a c k l e i t i n g r e a t numbers,

Dr. Radforth was asked if there was any noticeable difference between the Russian vehicles and our o m .

He

replied that they were primarily interested in the principles of design inherent in the water-buffalo vehicle. They

appreciate that a successful vehicle must be built for a specific job, which is the approach we will have to take in this country. Fundamentally they like broad tracked

vehicles (double tracks) and are aware of the specifications we are utilizing to achieve off-the-road access in muskeg.

They are aware also of the important principal of synchroni- zing the speeds of winch and track.

The question was raised as to whether the Russians are deviating in any way from tracked vehicles and going over to pneumatic tires. Dr. Radforth replied that they are entirely concerned with tracked vehicles and show no

indication of turning towards wheeled vehicles. Mr. Brownridge mentioned Dr. Radforthls reference to Russian roads over

muskeg and asked if he had any details on how they built their roads. Dr. Radforth replied that he did not have an opportunity to investigate this aspect in any detail but the methods used appeared similar to our own. They have had more experience than we and certainly more of their roads are built on muskeg than in this country, !The water content of muskeg is very important to them in relation to road construction and they are very discreet about where they place their ditches, Where we have imposed geometric patterns of drainage ditches they ditch according to natural contours.

Another question referred to Dr. Radforthts

statement that the Russians float more roads on muskeg than

we do, and asked if this was because they considered it a

better method of construction, or because they do not have the intensity of traffic on their roads that we have in Canada. Dr. Radforth replied that undoubtedly both these factors enter into the picture. However, the Russians have been actively engaged in muskeg since 1928, whereas we have been actively interested in it only since 1946.

Therefore, they have a considerably greater background of experience. When many of their roads were built the

traffic was light but it is rapidly increasing. Their standard was a suitable and economical means of communica- tion from one part of the country to another, They were faced with the problem of using intelligently what resources they possessed.

S e c t i o n

-

4 V e h i c l e s and T r a f f i c a b i l i a

-

---

1. Some A s p e c t s o f t h e T e r r a i n Problems i n U o r t h w e s t e r n -

-

Canada

--

I,. K e e l i n g Today, t h e o i l i n d u s t r y i n N o r t h w e s t e r n Canada i s s e r i o u s l y c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e problems o f o r g a n i c t e r r a i n , o r muskeg a s t h e u n p l e a s a n t m a t e r i a l i s more commonly c a l l e d . The s e a s o n a l t i d e s o f e x p l o - c a t i o n crews t h a t f l o w t o and f r o o v e r o u r f a r - f l u n g a r e a s b e a r w i t n e s s t o t h e r e s t r i c t i v e c o n d i t i o n s imposed by t h i s v e r y c o n s i d e r a b l e Canadian f e a t u r e

.

In e a r l y w i n t e r , when a i r t e m p e r a t u r e s a r e b e g i n n i n g t o d r o p below t h e f r e e z i n g l e v e l and h o v e r a r o u n d z e r o , t h e q u e s t i o n most f r e q u e n t l y aslred by t r a n s p o r t a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n o u t f i t s i s " H a s t h e muskeg froze^ y e t " ?

We i n t h e North must b e t h a n l c f u l t h a t t h e muskeg d o e s e v e n t u a l l y f r e e z e , f o r t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e e x p l o r a t i o n e f f o r t t o d a t e h a s b e e n c o n d u c t e d w i t h i n t h e s h o r t d a y s o f t h e s h o r t w i n t e r s . I s a y s h o r t w i n t e r s b e c a u s e f o r anyone c o n c e r n e d w i t h f i e l d o p e r a t i o n s o v e r f r o z e n muskeg t h e s e a s o n i s d e s p e r a t e l y s h o r t . Sometimes a whole y e a r t s e x p l o r a t i o n

e f f o r t must be crammed i n t o t h e t h r e e months o f J a n u a r y , F e b r u a r y and March.

B r i e f l y , I would l i k e t o g i v e you some i d e a o f t h e e x p l o r a t i o n e f f o r t b e i n g made i n Northrvestern Canada a n d a f t e r w a r d s , w i t h t h e a i d o f a few s l i d e s show you how we i n l m p e r i a l O i l a r e t a c k l i n g t h e problems and d e v e l o p i n g a n a p p r o a c h t o w a r d s t h e i r s o l u t i o n .

E f f o r t t o Date

!The s e a r c h f o r o i l i n t h e Canadian Northwest i s

c o n f i n e d c h i e f l y t o t h e d e e p e r s e d i m e n t a r y b a s i n s t h a t l i e

i n t h e l o n g narrow b e l t o f l a n d between t h e Canadian S h i e l d i n t h e e a s t and t h e m o u n t a i n s t o t h e w e s t (Fi;?. 1 ) .

Over 102 m i l l i o n a c r e s o f t h i s b e l t a r c h e l d b.y t h e i n d u s t r y i n t h e f o r m o f e x p l o r a t i o ~ l p e r m i t s . Some a r e i n t h e s o u t h e r n , r e l a t i v e l y w e l l s e t - b l e d a r e a s ~ v h i l e o t h e r s a r c s c a t t e r e d o v e r t h e d i s t a n t and remote p a r t s o f t h e Yukon and Nor--thrvest; T e r r i t o r i e s .

Since

1947

it is estimated that upwards of 90,000

miles of trails have been cut i n the southern contiguous bloclcs of permits. !This represents a sizable development program i n itself. In the same period over those trails geophysical surveys carried out by the oil industry have amounted to over 3000 crew months. or about 110.000 miles of continuous pro?iling. Imperialfs share i n this was about

25,000 miles, equal to running a continuous profile around the equator.

Since

1947

i n the same area some 480 deep wells were drilled by the industry for an estimated 120 million

dollars.

Some of the Problems

Figure 2 shows roughly the proportions of the terrain distribution over which this work has been concentrated. The central area represents the 6 million acres of land at the present under agricultural development, and on which signi- ficantly the majority of the discoveries so far made are located.

The remaining portion of the figure represents the undeveloped lands, and is divided into mineral terrain and land over which there i s much organic terrain, the organic terrain predominating i n most cases.

The accepted order of oil exploration progresses from surface geological work in a n area, to a seismograph

or core drill survey, followed ultimately by wildcat drilling. This of course, where successful, i s backed up by a develop- ment drilling program with its accompanying production

installations and transportation facilities.

Each of these types of exploration and development pose entirely different questions of transportation and access.

Surface geological work is carried out upon ont- cropping formations, and the problems of access between these outcrops is novi solved by the use of the helicopter. Geophysical operations on the other hand, which probe the surface o n a systematic basis, need land access to as much of a n exploration permit as is possible. !Ihe value of a seismic program bears directly upon the layout of the work, such that adjacent and roughly parallel lines of shooting tie or 'loop, one to another at approximately equal inter- vals. For example the so-called 'three-mile loop pattern1 which i s used in reconnaissance-type surveyin(_:.

!Tile d r i l l i n g o f w i l d c a t w e l l s i s a f f e c t e d by ground c o n d i t i o n s o n l y f o r moving t h e d e r r i c k and equipment o n t o

and away from t h c d r i l l s i t e , a n d f o r s u p p l y i n g t h e l o c a - t i o n once d r i l l j n c i s underway. If p r o d u c t i o n i s o b t a i n e d a t a n e x p l o r a t o r y w e l l s i t e then t h e n e e d f o r a d d i t i o n a l

d r i l l i n g and t h e development o f p r o d u c t i o n f a c i l i t i e s p r e s e n t a v e r y s p e c i a l problem when o r g a n i c t e r r a i n i s

p r e s e n t i n a1Xy g r e a t amount. Good a l l - w e a t h e r r o a d s a r e e s s e n t i a l f o r o i l p r o d u c t i o n o p e r a t i o n s .

With muskeg f r o z e n dov~n t o l o a d - c a r r y i n g d e p t h s i n w i n t e r , e a c h o f t h e s e o p = a t i o n s i s much s i m p l i f i e d . The

s e i s m o g r a p h c r e w s a r c a b l e t o l a y o u t t h e i r p r e - d e t e r m i n e d a s s i g n m e n t s a n d c o n d u c t p r o f i l i n g i n a milch more economical manner when t h e d i f f i c u l t i e s of a c c e s s a r e mini.mized by

f r o s t . Record q u a l i t y o v e r muskeg i s g r e a t l y improved i n t h e w i n t e r months, f o r s e i s m i c d a t a i s i n f l u e n c e d by t h e t y p e a n d q u a l i t y of t h e t e r r a i n a t t h e s h o o t i n g s i t e . The s t a b i l i t y o f t h e ground b e n e a t h t h e geophone i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d it m i g h t e a s i l y v a r y a t e a c h o f t h e 400 s t a t i o n s i n v o l v e d i n t h e r e c o r d i n g of a 5 - h o l e 2 4 - t r a c e p a t t e r n , F o r t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n o f a c o n v e n t i o n a l d r i l l i n g r i g t o i t s w i l d c a t l o c a t i o n a c c e s s m u s t b e o f s u f f i c i e n t c a l i b r e t o c a r r y over 600 t o n s o f heavy m a c h i n e r y , i n v a r y i n g l o a d s up t o 70 t o n s , A r i g , t o d r i l l a s h a l l o w

w e l l , may be moved o n t o and o f f a l o c a t i o n d u r i n g t h e c o u r s e o f a few w i n t e r months, i n which c a s e t h e a c c e s s p r o b a b l y would f o l l o w a n improved s e i s m i c t r a i l , t r a v e r s i n g muskeg and m i n e r a l t e r r a i n a t w i l l . Deeper w e l l s however may be i s o l a t e d from a c c e s s by wheeled v e h i c l e s a f t e r t h e s p r i n g b r e a k - u p i f t h e l o c a t i o n . i s s u r r o u n d e d by muskeg, I h e n , o f c o u r s e , o t h e r means o f conununication a n d s u p p l y must b e s o u g h t . A i r suppl-y i s t h e u s u a l method i n t h e s e c a s e s , b u t w i t h t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f l a r g e r l o a d - c a r r y i n g t r a c k m a c h i n e s , s u p p l y v i a t r a i l s c o n s t r u c t e d o v e r muskeg w i l l be p o s s i b l e i n f u t u r e , T e r r a i n S t u d i e s a n d a n A p j r o a c h Towards S o l u t i o n T e r r a i n s t u d i e s made o n a s y s t e m a t i c b a s i s c a n c o n t r i b u t e c o n s i d e r a b l y t o t h e s u c c e s s o f any o f t h e o p e r a - t i o n s c o n d u c t e d i n t h e u n s e t t l e d b u s h l a n d s , a n d t o t h a t end we have a l w a y s made some form o f s t u d y b e f o r e a m a j o r

program h a s b e e n implemented.

The c h i e f c o n l ; r i b u t i o n s t h a t we c a n make a s e n g i n e e r s t o m a r d s t h e commencement, c a r r y i n g o u t a n d f u r t h e r i n g o f

e x p l o r a t i o n work i n t h i s c o u n t r y a r e t w o f o l d . F i r s t l y ,

o b s t a c l e s i n a g i v e n a r e a , a n d more i m p o r t a n t knov~ing t h e d e g r e e o f i n t e r f e r e n c e t h a t t h e s e f e a t u r e s may p r e s e n t t o t h e c a r r y i n g o u t o f a p a r t i c u l a r program.

15odern methods o f a i r p h o t o g r a p h y h a v e g i v e n u s

t h e i n f o r m a t i o n on f i l m from which t o c h a r t maps a n d a c c u r a t e l y l o c a t e t h e s u r f a c e o f o u r l a n d , Given t h i s f i r s t and impor-

t a n t t o o l i t i s o n l y a s t e p t o t h e s t u d y o f t h o s e f e a t u r e s which i n t e r e s t u s most, These a r e r i v e r d r a i n a g e s y s t e m s ,

o r g a n i c t e r r a i n and t h e p r e s e n c e o f a n y e x i s t i n g t r a i l s , i n t h a t o r d e r , R i v e r s h a v e a h a b i t o f o c c u r r i n g a t t h e c r i t i c a l p o i n t and p l a y i n g a r e s t r i c t i v e hand i n t h e l a y i n g o u t of a f i e l d a s s i g n m e n t . Being a b l e t o l o c a t e a r e a s o f o r g a n i c t e r r a i n i s an o b v i o u s a d v a n t a g e , and t h e knowledge o f e x i s t i n g b u l l d o z e d l i n e s i s n o t o n l y a s a v i n g i n c o s t , b u t a l s o e n a b l e s u s t o p r o p o s e l i n e s f o r c o n d i t i o n i n g f o r u s e a t a much e a r l i e r d a t e . This c o n d i t i o n i n g c o n s i s t s o f p a c k i n g down t h e e a r l i e s t s n o w f a l l s t o i n c r e a s e t h e cond-uc- t i v i t y o f t h e f r e s h snow l a y e r s . If t h e d e t a i l e d n a t u r e o f an o p e r a t i o n i s known i n a d v a n c e , i n some a r e a s a week o r two may b e a d d e d t o t h e e f f e c t i v e l e n g t h o f t h e s e a s o n .

U n f o r t u n a t e l y when we f i r s t began o u r s t u d i e s we h e w l i t t l e o f t h e work c a r r i e d o u t by D r . R a d f o r t h and h i s

c o l l e a g u e s on t h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f o r g a n i c t e r r a i n i n t o t h e s i m p l e c o v e r c l a s s e s . We h a d o u r own i d e a s o f what

w a s bad a n d what w a s good, and we a t t e m p t e d t o p l o t t h e s e o n o u r maps. These f i r s t two t y p e s o f ground c o n d i t i o n s when i n t e r p r e t e d i n t h e summertime amounted s i m p l y t o t h e

d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n between m i n e r a l a n d n o n - m i n e r a l t e r r a i n . It w a s a s t e p i n t h e r i g h t d i r e c t i o n , b u t a t t h a t t i m e we were n o t t o o d e t a i l e d i n o u r c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s a n d d i d n ' t c o n c e r n o u r s e l v e s w i t h t h e a c t u a l l a n d c o n f o r m a t i o n s , H o r s e s h a d b e e n t r i e d i n t h e f i e l d i n t h e summer, a n d we knew o n l y t o o w e l l t h a t t h e y g o t s t u c k i n t h e muskeg. We knew t h a t t h e hand d r i l l i n g o f h o l e s f o r s e i s m i c s h o t s w a s a d i f f i c u l t problem, and w e a l s o knew t h a t t h e s e i s m z c r e c o r d o b t a i n e d f r o m muskeg a r e a s i n a n u n f r o z e n s t a t e , w a s o f l i t t l e v a l u e , R e q u e s t s r e a c h i n g o u r o f f i c e fsorn t r a i l - c u t t i n g t e a m s , f o r a s s i s t a n c e i n overcoming m a j o r o b s t a c l e s s u c h a s s t e e p h i l l s a n d r i v e r c r o s s i n g s , prompted u s t o b e g i n what c o u l d b e t e r m e d ' a s s i g n m e n t l a y o u t t . T h i s amounted t o t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f a g i v e n a r e a , w i t h a view t o l a y i n g o u t l o o p s o f t r a i l s t h a t would p r e s e n t t h e l e a s t amount o f e f f o r t t o f i e l d crews and a-t tlie same t i m e c o n s e r v e p r e c i o u s d o l l . a r s , G e o p h y s i c a l crew performance i n t e r m s o f m i l e s o f l i n e p e r month, t r a i l - c u t t i n g s p e e d s i n t h e v a r i o u s t y p e s o f c o u n t r y a n d o-Lher s u c h infoma-Lion w a s a v a i l a b l e , s o o u r t a s k s mere w e l l d e f i n e d , I n t h e s e f i r s t t e r r a i n s t u d i e s ,

as w i l l be s e e n from F i g . 3 , e m p h a s i s w a s o n t h e i s o l a t i o n o f two r e s t r i c - t i n g f e a t u r e s , u n w o r k a b l e , s t - e e p l y c o n t o i ~ r e d s l o p e s a n d t h e w e l l - d e f i n e d muslregs. B o d i e s o f open w a t e r were o f c o u r s c , u n d e r t h e h e a d i n g ' u n w o r k a b l e ' .

H a v i r ~ q o u t l i ~ z e d t h e r e s t r i c t i n g c o n d i . t i o n s on o u r maps it w a s tlneli e a s i e r .to l a y o u t t h e p r o p o s e d t r a i l p a t i i e r n s . The s t e e p b a n k s o f t h e l a r g e r i v e r s , which may stlo-u a s UIII-rorlcable f o r man.y m i l e s a l o n g t h e i r v a l l e y s ,

p r e v e n t l o o p t i e s from b e i : ? ~ made and c a n r e s u l t i n p r o b l e m s o f s e i s m i c c o r r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n a r e a s . However, i f t h e r e i s a weak s p o t i n t h e btzrsie:r then it w i l l be e:cploiterl, p r o v i d e d t h e c o s t i s n o t t o o g r e a t . Sometimes s e i s m i c r e c o r d s a r e u n o b t a i n a b l e near d e e p r i v e r v a l l e y s a n d t h e o n l y r e a s o n f o r a crossint-.: i s t h e n e e d t o move equipment from p o i n t t o p o i n t . TJ2e c r o s s i : n t ~ sshovni i n Fii?. 3 a t

p o i n t A , i s a c a s e i n p o i n t , %he n e e d f o r one crew t o s h o o t

an a s s i g n m e n t t h a t s p a l ~ s b o t h s i d e s o f t h e l a r g e P e a c e R i v e r . The b a n k s r i s e t o o v e r s i x h u n d r e d f e e t a l o n g t h i s p a r t i c u l a r s t r e t c h . A c o n v e l i t i o r ~ i l th r e e - m i l e l o o p p a t t e r n i s l a i d o u t f o r t h e p o r t i o n shown s o u t h o f t h e r i v e r , a n d i t i s i n - t c r r s t i n s t o n o t e t h e n e e d f o r a d e t o u r a r o u n d t h e unv~orlcable a r e a shown, a t 3, a d e t o u r t h a - t i n v o l v e s a g r e a t e r amount; o f muskeg t r a v e l i n i t s r o u t e . I n p e r i o d s o f c o l d w e a t h e r t h e c o s t o f c u t t i n g t h e s e few e x t r a m i l e s may n o t be g r e a t , b u t t h e r e s u l t i n g t r a i l c a n be d e s p e r a t e l y s l o w a n d time-consuming f o r t h e f i e l d c r e w s . S11:fficient w a t e r t o s u p p l y t h e r o t a r y s e i s m i c d r i l l s

may be a m a j o r problem i n somn a r e a s , and t h e b ~ l i l d i n g o f e x t r a t r a i l s t o vra-ter i s o f - t e n r e s o r t e d t o where p o s s i b l e . These e x t r a t r a i l s c a n b e c h o s e n , i f r e q u i r e d , when t h e %el-1-ain s t u d y i s made. ?'he n e e d t o m a i n t a i n low p r o f i l e

c o s t s d o e s n o t a l l o w e a r t h - ~ n o v i n g equipmen-t f o r l i n e c u t t i n g , and r a r e l y i s i t u s e d f o r

build in^

g e o p h y s i c a l a c c e s s r o a d s . You w i l l n o t i c e t h a t i n t h i s p a r b i c u l a r s t u d y no a-ktempt was made t o t y p e t h e t i n b e r c o v e r , m e r e l y t h e o b s t a c l e s . A f t e r c o n s i d e r a b l e s u c c e s s was o b t a i n e d i n t h e u s e o f o u r f i r s t t e r r a i n s t i ~ d i e s 07- a s s i ~ n m e n t l a y o u - t s a f u r t h e r rc-finenlent was i n t r o d u c e d . I t i n v o l v e d t h e r e v e r s a l o f t h e p r e v i o u s tec'hniq,ues a n d -the d e f i n i n g o f t i m b e r e d a r e a s , ra-khller t h a n the muskeg. i n t h e c o u r s e of tlne s t e r e o s c o p i c

s-Ludy o f t h e a1.r p h o t o s , t h e d e n s e r -ti;nbt.r c o v e r vi.ss i s o l a t e d a n d , vrhcre p o s s i ' b l e , t h e b r o a d - l e a v e d c o v e r was i n d i c a t e d by a d i f f e r e l l ? ; symbol o r c o l u u r . Forcs-Lry

expo:;-ts h a v e beell. d o i n g t h i s f o r g e a r s and where c o p i e s o f

t , ~ . t : maps a r e a v a i l a b l e 'they a r e i n c o r p o r a - b e d i n o u r s t u d i e s . - L h ->-- -

111 rnos-b c a s e s one man was r e t a i n e d i n t h e s e t i m b e r

c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s l u d i e s , s o t h a t e v e n i f t h e r e w e r e e r r o r s o f t y p e i r i t e r p r e - t a t i o ? l , a-t l e a s t t h e r e would b e some r e l a t i o n betwc e n _{t h e many maps i n ~ v o l v c d}

.

_{It v m s t h o u g h t , ritrkl-tly}

o r wrongly, t h a t t h e rnajo:rity o f t h e d e n s e r o r h e a v i e r t i m b e r t y p e s grew on b e t t e r ground, a f a c t we now lanow i s n o t always t r u e . Hov~ever, one b i g s t e p made i n t h i s second t y p e o f s.tudy was t h e s e p a r a t i o n . o f t h e bl-Oad-leaved cover. The r e q u i r e m e n t of a n a l l - y e a r a i r - s - L r i p a t some i s o l a t e d l o c a t i o n w a s o f t e n one o f o u r b i g g e s t o p e r a t i o l i a l p 1 - o b l e ~ ~ s , a s i n d e e d it i s s t i l l . By i s o l a t i n g t h e more l e v e l p o g l a r a r e a s w i t h major a x e s i n t h e 3,000- t o 4 , 0 0 0 - f o o t r a n g e , i t was o f t e n p o s s i b l e t o have s e v e r a l p r o b a b l e a i r - s t r i p l o c a t i o n s r e a d y a g a i n s * t h e t i m e when t h e summer o p e r a t i o n was f i n a l i z e d .

Tne s t u d y shown i n Pig. 4 i s a n example of t h i s r e v e r s e d i n t e r p r e t a t i o n . I t i s a small s e c t i o n o f t h e e x t e n s i v e muslcegs e a s t o f Port- ITelson. C o n s i d e r a b l e d i f f i c u l t y w a s e x p e r i e n c e d i n t h i s a r e a i n c2ioosing a p o s s i b l e r o u t e and i n s e v e r a l c a s e s i t was i m p o s s i b l e t o

determine t h e n a t u r e of t h e o b s t a c l e s t h a t would be encountered from a t r a f f i c a b i l i t y a s p e c t . I n w i n t e r , s e v e r a l hundred

m i l e s o f u n d e v i a t i n g l i n e h a s been c u t i n t h i s a r e a w i t h a minimum o f i n t e r r u p t i o n f o r such major f e a t u r e s a s unworlrable s t e e p r i v e r v a l l e y s o r l a k e s . Any summer o p e r a t i o n s i n t h e same c o u n t r y would be a n e n t i r e l y d i f f e r e n t s t o r y . The b e s t a t t e m p t towards planning a summertime t r a i l , t o be

used by c o a v e n t i o n a l equipment, w a s covered w i t h many q u e s t i o n marks. I n o t h e r p l a c e s it w a s p o s s i b l e t o d e f i n e a c o r r i d o r i n which one might e x p e c t t h e b e t t e r t e r r a i n t o e x i s t .

F i n a l l y , w i t h t h e b r o a d - l e a v e d t i m b e r o u t l i n e d wi-bh a

d e f i n i t e symbol, t h e r e were p l a c e s where we knew t h e g o i n 5 c o n d i t i o n s would be s u i t a b l e f o r wheeled machines.

With t h e a d v e n t o f more r e l i a b l e track-mounted

v e h i c l e s , t h e freedom of o p e r a t i o n h a s i n c r e a s e d c o n s i d e r a b l y and a new approach t o t h e r o u t e l a y o u t f o r t h e s e machines

i s needed. Under c e r t a i n c o n d i t i o n s o r p e r i o d s o f t h e y e a r a l m o s t a l l t h e u n d e v i a t i n g r o u t e of t h e w i n t e r c a n be worked, i f c e r t a i n b a s i c r u l e s a r e met. Track machines do n o t l i k e t h e gumbo c l a y s of t h e p p l a r r i d g e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i f t h e t r a i l s have been s t r i p p e d down t o t h e m i n e r a l s o i l .

A l l i e d w i t h t h e s e known r u l e s a r e t h e unlmown

f a c t o r s which e x i s t , such a s d r i l l i n g c o n d i t i o n s a l o n g t h e proposed r o u t e . Areas of poor g r a v e l d r i l l i n g w i l l consume enoLcmous q u a n t i t i e s o f w a t e r n e c e s s i t a t i n g a g r e a t e r number of t r i p s o v e r t h e t r a i l s by t h e heavy w a t e r t a n k e r s . If t h e i r w a t e r s u p p l y i s a t a d i s t a n t l o c a t i o n o r i s s i t u a t e d a t %he bottom o f a deep r i v e r v a l l e y , t h e r e a r e e x t e n s i v e d e l a y s and crew performance i s a f f e c t e d .

Following a thorough s t u d y o f l i t e r a t u r e and r e p o r t s on t h e s u b j e c t of o r g a n i c t e r r a i n , we a r e beginning t o

r e a l i z o t h a t w h i l e we have made b i g s t r i d e s i n o u r s t u d i e s s o f a r , we a r e now a b l e t o t a k e s i z a b l e l e a p s .

Af.t;er r e c e i v i n g f i r s t - h a n d i n t r o d u c t i o n s i n t o t h e c o v e r c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s o f t h e muslceg from Dr. R a d f o r t h l a s t summer, and b e i n g show11 hou simple and everyday t h e s e

c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s become m i t h u s e , we a r e a b l e t o s a y t h a t f u t u r e s t u d i e s w i l l be f a r s u p e r i o r t o t h o s e made i n t h e p a s t .

Summertime i c e d e p t h s

,

mat c o h e s i o n , p i t c h expec- t a n c y and many o t h e r i m p o r t a n t f a c e t s of o r g a n i c - t e r r a i n s t u d y a r e s l o w l y g a i n i n g s i g n i f i c a n c e i n o u r v a r i o u s

d i s c u s s i o n s , and t h e i r r e l a t i o n t o a g i v e n problem of a c c e s s i s becoming more a p p a r e n t . One o r two members of o u r s t a f f a r e engaged i n making c l a s s i f i c a - b i o n s t u d i e s of v a r i o u s s m a l l p o r t i o n s of o u r l a n d . !L!hey a r e doing t h i s , n o t t o g a i n e x p e r i e n c e and confidence i n t h e i r i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s , b u t t o work o u t t h e machinery f o r t h e o b s e r v a t i o n and r e c o r d i n g o f t h e s e import-an-t f o r m u l a s and s,ymbols. I n a n a c t u a l f i e l d t r i p a n at-tempt i s made t o f i n d o u t how l a r g e o r s m a l l t h e i n c r e m e n t s of o b s e r v a t i o n should b e , o r t o d i s c o v e r i f r e c o g n i t i o n of t e r r a i n under t h e w i n t e r snoiv c o v e r c a n be r e l i a b l e .

!The a c - t u a l a i r r e c o g n i t i o n of c o v e r c l a s s e s o r t h e i r c o l l e c t i v e l y named air-fol-m p a t t e r n s has n o t been a t t e m p t e d y e t , b u t t h a t w i l l be o u r n e x t s t e p . The

c o n s t r u c t i o n of s-tudy maps f o r o p e r a t i o n a l f o r e c a s t i n g i s b e i n g a t t e m p t e d from o u r ground s t u d i e s . \Vliile rre a r e n o t y e t a b l e t o p l a n whole programs f o r t h e muskeg from f o r e c a s t s made i n c o n n e c t i o n wit11 -tllese s t u d i e s , s m a l l l o c a l i z e d

problems of a c c e s s can be a t t e m p t e d . Access between a n i s o l a t e d d r i l l i n g rip; and i t s s u p p l y a i r s t r i p a few m i l e s d i s t a n t c a n be planned a c r o s s o r g a n i c t e r r a i n provided t h e p e r i o d of a c t i v i t y and t h e t y p e o f v e h i c l e t o be used a r e known i n advance. When e x i s t i n g c u t l i n e s a r e t o be used f o r a summertime o p e r a t i o n we c a n f o r e c a s t t h e amount of d e t o u r i n g n e c e s s a r y where t h e t r a i l t r a v e r s e s muskeg c o u n t r y .

F i g u r e 5 i s a s m a l l s e c t i o n of o u r nem t e r r a i n s t u d y methods. The approach i s s t i l l e x p e r i m e n t a l and we have much t o l e a r n . The f i r s t s t e p i s t h e s y s t e m a t i c i n t e r - p r e t a t i o n of a n e x i s t i n g l i n e , shotvn d o t t e d i n b l a c k a c r o s s t h i s p l a t e . The v a r i o u s c o v e r f o r m u l a s a r e drawn on o r t a b u l a t e d i n l i s t f o m a s t h e y a r e observed and r e f e r e n c e d t o a s c a l e s i m i l a r t o t h a t shown i n l a d d e r f a s h i o n o v e r t h e rou'te on t h i s s l i d e . Valere p o s s i b l e , t h e topography symbols a r e added t o f u r t h e r d e t a i l t h e s t u d y . O u r o l d t o p o g r a p h i c s t u d i e s of b e a v e r dams, g l a c i a l d e l i n e a t i o n s and burned- o v e r a r e a s s t i l l a p p e a r on t h e maps. When a complete job h a s been i n t e r p r e t e d i n t h i s f a s h i o n i t i s a s i m p l e m a t t e r t o w r i t e a n a p p r a i s a l of t h e r o u t e , m i l e by m i l e , and p o i n t o u t t h e s i g n i f i c a n t f e a t u r e s . l?!ith t h e i n f o r m a t i o n now a v a i l a b l e t o u s on t h e e x p e c t e d s u r f a c e r e c e s s i o n of s e a s o n a l f r o s t i n t h e e a r l y summer, we would have no d i f f i c u l t y i n s t a t i n g what p e r c e n t a g e o f t h e l i n e would

s u p p o r t , s a y Bombardier o r Noclv~ell machines, and i n p o i n t i n g ou-t e x a c t l y where we would need t o d e t o u r t o a v o i d t r e a c h e r o u s t e r r a i n s u c h a s P I o r BF1. I n t h e f u - t u r e , p r o v i d i n g t h a t

t h e v e h i c l e t y p e and some iclea o f t h e s e a s o n i s known, i t

w i l l be p o s s i b l e f o r u s t o map o u t a u s a b l e r o u t e as 1

have shown on F i g . 5. With c e r t a i n p i e c e s o f equipnient t h e r e would be no need t o d e v i a t e a t a l l and t h e o r i g i n a l r e q u i r e d r o u t e c o u l d be f o l l o w e d .

Conclusion.

Thanks t o t h e c o n t i n u e d e f f o r t s o f t h e N a t i o i i a l Research C o u n c i l , t h e Defense R e s e a r c h Board and Mclilaster U n i v e r s i t y where a p p l i e d r e s e a r c h o f t h i s n a t u r e i s g o i n g on, we i n t h e o i l i n d u s t r y a r e a b l e t o l i f t t h e c l o u d

from one of o u r b i g g e s t o p e r a t i o n a l problems. We a l l hope t h a t one day a m i d s t a l l t h o s e m i l l i o n s o f a c r e s u n d e r ex- p l o r a t i o n by t h e i n d u s t r y someone i s g o i n g t o f i n d a m a j o r o i l f i e l d . \Then t h a t happens t h e development o f any d e s - c o v e r y p r o b a b l y w i l l be concerned w i t h t h e problem o f muskeg. By c o n t i n u i n g o u r s t u d y and improving on p r e s e n t t e c h n i q u e s we hope t h a t when t h e t i m e comes f o r a n a l l - o u t e f f o r t i n some a r e a o f o r g a n i c t e r r a i n , w e may have t h e a n s w e r s t o m a n y o f t h e problems.

D i s c u s s i o n

I&. K e e l i n g was a ~ e d 1 h e h d any s p e

i n f o r m a t i o n o r a rule-of-gkurnb'%or d e t e r m i n i n g 8kzi8eoth o f f r o z e n muskeg. He r e p l i e d t h a t a l t h o u g h t h e y U a r e c a r E y i n g o u t some m e t e o r o l o g i c a l s t u d i e s t h i s w i n t e r t o d e t e r m i n e t h e e f f e c t o f w i n t e r t e m p e r a t u r e s on t h e i r work, t h e y d i d n o t h a v e s u f f i c i e n t i n f o r m a t i o n on which t o b a s e f o r e c a s t s o f t h e a c t u a l c o n d i t i o n of t h e f r o z e n muskeg. He was a s k e d i f h e knew o f any f a c t o r s f o r d e t e r m i n i n g t h e b e a r i n g s t r e n g t h of f r o z e n muskeg. I/Ir. K e e l i n g r e p l i e d t h a t t h e y do know

t h a t f i r m l y packed snow o v e r a t r a i l i s u s u a l l y a d e q u a t e f o r a heavy v e h i c l e . M r . Stoneman wondered i f t h e a e r i a l p h o t o g r a p h s u s e d were s p e c i a l l y talcen f o r t h e purpose

d e s c r i b e d i n Mr. K e e l i n g ' s p a p e r , and i f s o , a t what h e i g h t .

M r . K e e l i n g s a i d t h a t t h e y have a few a e r i a l p h o t o g r a p h s o f t h e i r own b u t most o f them a r c R.C.A.P. p h o t o s t a k e n a t 1 7 , 0 0 0 f t .

A q u e r y was made c o n c e r n i n g t h e meaning o f t h e

b r a c k e t e d symbols i n P i g . 5. M r . K e e l i n g r e p l i e d t h a t t h e y r e f e r r e d t o t h e R a d f o r t h t o p o g r a p h i c c l a s s i f i c a t i o n . D r .

R a d f o r t h c o n g r a t u l a t e d M r . K e e l i n g oil h i s p a p e r and s a i d t h a t h e was most encouraged t o s e e t h a t t h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n system i s b e i n g u s e d i n t h i s way.

A reTerence system f o r muskeg h a s been developed based on n a t u r a l b i o l o g i c a l sequence and as Mr. Keeling has i n d i c a t e d t h e r e a r e t o p o g r a p h i c a l f e a t u r e s n o t o n l y c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of muskeg b u t a l s o p e c u l i a r t o i t . When new i d e a s a r e advanced t h e r e i s always t h e i n i t i a l appre- h e n s i o n of whether someone can a d o p t and u s e t h i s i n f o r -

mation. Here w e have a c a s e r e c o r d of where it i s b e i n g used t o good advantage. I t may be n e c e s s a r y o f c o u r s e , t o do some secondary r e f i n e m e n t i n one a r e a o r a n o t h e r depending upon t h e n a t u r e of t h e o p e r a t i o n and t h e t e r r a i n .

MOUNTAINOUS AREAS INDUSTRY LAND HOLDINGS DEVELOPED AREAS - 7 ' CANADIAN SHIELD

FIG. 1

f _\

T E R R A I N

S T U D Y

ONE

WATER BODIES

HIGHLY aCONTOURED

(UNWORKABLE)

WELL DEFINED

1:'3

MUSKEG

-

PROPOSED

I---

TRAILS

0

1

2

3

4

MILES

\

TERRAIN

STUDY

TWO

OPEN PONDS

GLOSED PONDS

OR

MARSH

DENSE TREE GOVER

CONIFEROUS

BEAVER DAM

I

PROPOSED

-

Q = - ' - ~

TRAILS

-

0

1

2

MILES

S e c t i o n 4

Vchicle Mobilit,y Ferform;j.nce i n Muskeg

-

A P r e l i m i n a r y R e p o r t

Little information ia available which may be directly applied to the design of tracked vehicles for use in muskeg. The literature does, however, cover vehicle mobility performance in soft soils and snows quite extensively.

The objects of the performance tests described in this note are: (1) to determine the applicability of the available informa- tion o n vehicle mobility to vehicle operations in muskeg; and

(2) to determine quantitatively the levels of mobility per- formance of a few current muskeg vehicles.

SCOPE OF THE TEST PROGRAM

The test program has been laid out to determine which of the vehicle design factors that can be varied significantly influence the mobility performance of the resulting vehicle in muskeg. The follow-

ing design characteristics can be controlled within limits by the vehicle designer:

1. Track contact area (ground pressure);

2. Longitudinal position of the centre of gravity with respect to centre of track contact;

3 . Track length to width ratio;

4. Track length to tread ratio (steering rate); and

5. Wheel size and spacing.

Of these only the first and second can, in effect, be varied in an existing machine such as the Scout Car shown in Figure 4. The third can be studied within a group of machines in which the first and second named characteristics are, or can be made substantially uniform. There seems to be little chance that a group of vehicles could be found in which the first three listed characteristics can be sufficiently standardized to permit positive evaluation of the fourth and fifth characteristics. The effectiveness of these last two factors in pro- ducing mobility in muskeg will therefore have to be deduced from the results of earlier work in other test media.

There are nine major mirskeg types in the Radforth classifica- tion, and an infinite number of gradations in the many combinations of these prime types, in some of which the muskeg "per se" is not the limiting condition to vehicle mobility. Accordingly, it is not pro- posed to carry out any of the tests in a large variety of muskegs. A

muskeg types for the purpose of qualitatively generalizing the quanti- tative results obtained from the main test program in one muskeg.

TEST METHOD

No attempt ha.s been made to devise a special vehicle test technique for use in muskeg, Rather, a standard test method, developed for mobility testing in other media such as sand, clay and snow, was used and its adequacy critically examined as the program was carried out.

"Pull-slip" tests were the adopted technique. These tests are made with the test vehicle tracks rotating at constant v8docity. The

speed of the rest vehicle, and therefore the slip rate of its tracks, is then varied in increments by changing the rate of advance of a dynamometer vehicle coupled behind. A strain gauged drawbar, included in the tow line between the test and dynamometer vehicles, measures the force required to maintain these imposed lower speeds of the test vehicle, Sprocket speed

pick-ups on the test vehicle (~igure 4) and a fifth wheel towed behind the dynamometer vehicle provide the data necessary to calculate track slippage, From these data, recorded on a common time base a pall slip curve (Figure 1) is prepared.

The significance of a "pull- slip" test in evaluating a vehicle which is intended to carry rather thaw tow its payload is perhaps not ap- parent. It is usual to refine the observed data into drawbar coefficient (i,e. drawbar pull divided by gross vehicle weight) and this coefficient directly represents the maximum grade which the vehicle could be expected to climb in the test media, Alternatively, the drawbar coefficient may be considered as a measure of the vehicle's excess of traction over that re- quired to just move itself through the test media. It is known from pre- vious experience that drawbar coefficients of 0.3 and less represent margLnal to poor performance because the vehicle does not have sufficient excess ability available to cope with the mobility demands of extra soft spots in the muskeg end steering loads. Satisfactory to good performance is represented by coefflcients of 0.5 and over.

Later in the program measurements will be made of sprocket torque, also on the same time base. These data, being a measure of gross traction, will in conjunction with the drawbar data, which is a measure of net traction, provide information on vehicle motion resistance in mus- keg,

Additional instrumentation can be fitted to measure vehicle sinkage and trim when required. In this test program sinkage measure- ments have been abandoned since it was found that in the test muskeg a

terminal sinkage was reached during preparation of the test lane and that readings were extremely erratic due to the hummocked characteristic of the muskeg. Trim was cot measured because, based ow past experience,

it is not an independent variable but results from a balance between gross traction and longitudinal position of the dynamic centre of gravity and some progressive subsidance of the muskeg under repeated loading by the individual roadwheels within the track.