4 Nov 2025

Preliminary Evaluation of Selected Expeditionary Shelter Systems in a Subarctic Environment: Phases I and II of Cold Weather Testing

Abstract: The warming of high latitude regions is causing geopolitical concerns and spurring increased human presence across the Arctic. Potentially, these situations require only a short-term occupation necessitating tested and developed expedient infrastructure. Operating requirements for high latitude conditions are vastly divergent from temperate locations. Shelters must be able to provide habitable conditions at temperature down to −60°F, withstand 100 mph wind speeds, and support 25 lb/ft2 of snow load. Although great advances have been made in providing efficient and comfortable Arctic infrastructure since the onset of the Cold War, significant work remains to further increase efficiencies and adapt to changing weather parameters. To address infrastructure technology gaps, the US Army Corps of Engineers–Engineering Research and Development Center (USACE-ERDC) established the Arctic Infrastructure Research Group (AIRG). Over two phases of investigation, the AIRG evaluated three selected expeditionary shelter systems at its Arctic Infrastructure Research Center (AIRC) in Fairbanks, Alaska during the winters of 2020–2021 (Phase I) and 2021–2022 (Phase II).