Analytical solution for the temperature field of cold region tunnels that considers thermal resistance

Abstract

The temperature field is a crucial factor in the design and research of cold region tunnels. However, current research has focused on the effects of insulation, ventilation and heating on heat transfer, while disregarding the effect of thermal resistance from embedded components on heat conduction. In this study, a new analytical solution for transient heat transfer that considers interfacial thermal resistance is developed. This solution employs the shifting function method and finite integral transform technique. The proposed solution is highly versatile and can accommodate arbitrary time-varying ambient temperature, the convective heat transfer coefficient at the air-solid interface of the tunnel and the heat source power of embedded heating components. Furthermore, the consistency and accuracy of the proposed solution are validated by comparing with the finite element method solutions for two tunnel examples: (1) only concrete linings are applied; and (2) concrete linings are applied, along with an insulation layer and an embedded heat source. The new solution can provide valuable insights into the design and optimization of anti-frost systems in cold region tunnels and exhibits high potential for engineering applications.