Model test on thermo-mechanical properties of static drill rooted energy pile under long-term temperature cycles

Abstract

Static drill rooted (SDR) pile emerges as a composite of a prefabricated pile and cemented soil. SDR pile technology was introduced into the energy pile design due to its high load-bearing capacity, excellent heat transfer performance and favorable stability. Indoor model tests were established to investigate the thermo-mechanical behavior of an SDR energy pile under long-term temperature cycles. It was found that the studied pile had better heat transfer performance and bearing capacity (50%) than the ordinary pile. After twenty long-term temperature cycles, Additional tensile and compressive stress were observed in the pile. The additional thermal stress in the pile initially increased and then decreased with the increasing depth of the pile. The stress fluctuation would not damage the pile material since it was maintained within the design value of concrete strength. The side friction of the pile gradually increased with the increasing cycle numbers. The cumulative settlement of the SDR energy pile was induced by temperature cycles and reached −0.155 mm (0.18% D) after 20 cycles, less than the ordinary pile. The first two cycles accounted for 53% of the total cumulative settlement, and cooling was the main factor causing pile top settlement. The ultimate bearing capacity of the SDR energy pile was decreased by 9% after 20 cycles. The investigation of the long-term thermo-mechanical behavior of the SDR energy pile provides a theoretical basis for its practical application. SDR energy piles are significant for the efficient use of shallow geothermal energy.