Practical recommendations for planning, constructing and maintaining infrastructure in mountain permafrost

Mountain infrastructure can be negatively affected by ground‐ice degradation induced by the combined effects of construction activity, the structure itself and climate change. Modification of subsurface conditions may cause differential settlement, creep and deformation of structures, substantially shortening their service life. Permafrost detection techniques and adaptive design methods taking into account changes in the geotechnical properties of the ground are rarely applied on construction sites in the Alps. The analysis of potential structural sensitivities to changes in the substrate and the determination of failure consequences are necessary for the successful design of durable infrastructure. Appropriate monitoring systems allow timely diagnoses and the application of suitable remedial measures. The use of specially conceived technical solutions in mountain permafrost is becoming widespread, yet there is not a commonly accepted state‐of‐the‐art. New recommendations provide an overview of practical solutions for the construction and maintenance of durable infrastructure in mountain permafrost.