Natalie Arpin
High-Resolution Monitoring of the Impact of Frost Heave on Railway Bridges along the Hudson Bay Railway
Natalie is a Ph.D. Candidate at Queen's University in the Civil Engineering Department focusing on railway infrastructure in permafrost regions.
Why did you join the RMC GeoCORE team?
To have the chance to do unique and innovative research focused which combined permafrost and railways. It has also given me the chance to get into the field to do research which has been an amazing experience.
What do you like about the RMC?
Working at RMC has been an extremely positive experience. They have a great team of professors and lab technicians who are extremely supportive of the students conducting research. The chance to move between Queen's and RMC through the GeoEngineering Center has made a huge impact on the learning and expertise available to me as a student
What is your research topic?
I work on the Hudson Bay Railway in Manitoba which runs from The Pas up to Churchill. I am conducting research on the impact of frost jacking on railway bridges and track. Through this I am trying to improve our understanding of its impact, how we predict it and how to repair the damage that it causes to infrastructure.
Any interesting results to share?
Stay tuned! There is lots of instrumentation installed that will hopefully lead to some interesting results!
What do you like to do for fun outside of school?
I love to do yoga, hike, bake, downhill ski in the winter and waterski in the summer!