Axial and radial thermal responses of field-scale energy piles

Abstract

This thesis evaluated the axial and radial thermal stresses of field-scale energy piles which are needed by engineers to improve their design. Experiments were conducted on energy piles installed in dense sand and subjected to temperature cycles. The radial thermal stresses developed in the piles were significantly lower than axial thermal stresses and are expected to remain low and negligible for the range of temperatures encountered in energy piles. The response of the thermal strains were thermo-elastic indicating that building loads coupled with temperature cycles are not expected to lead to settlements of the pile and the surrounding dense sand.