A simplified model for energy pile-supported embankment

Abstract

Energy piles can be used for road de-icing in winter or cooling in summer in the pile-supported embankment. This paper presents a simplified model for energy pile-reinforced foundation beneath the embankment to investigate thermal effects of piles on the performance of the system. By considering thermo-mechanical stress–strain of the pile and foundation soil, thermally-induced pile-soil interaction, and applying stress continuity and settlement continuity at the bottom of the embankment fill and the surface of the underlying soil, the settlements of the piles, the surrounding soil, the embankment fill, and the underlying soil are compatible. This proposed method is validated by comparison with numerical analysis. An increase in temperature will mobilize more friction at both the upper and lower sides of the pile, and will decrease the foundation settlement but increase the load-sharing ratio of the piles. The stiffer surrounding soil provides greater constraint to limit the deformation of the energy pile, causing larger thermal-induced stress of the pile.