Numerical investigation of concrete energy pile behavior in Winnipeg using coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical finite element analyses

Alitking Anongphouth, Pooneh Maghoul, Marolo Alfaro

In the proceedings of: GeoSt. John's 2019: 72nd Canadian Geotechnical Conference

Session: Foundations

ABSTRACT: Energy piles, used as ground heat exchanger elements in ground source heat pump systems to heat or cool building spaces, have been gaining popularity in recent years. It is important to understand the behavior of energy pile systems in local climatic and geotechnical conditions. This paper aims to investigate the behavior of the energy piles under climatic and geological conditions in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) finite element analyses were carried out for hypothetical friction and end-bearing energy piles. These piles were subjected to both mechanical loads and six-year heating and cooling cycles. Numerical results are presented in terms of pile head displacements, strains, and loads developed in the piles, as well as skin friction, effective radial stresses along the pile-soil interfaces, and thermally induced excess porewater pressures in the surounding ground.

RÉSUMÉ: Les pieux géothermiques sont utilisés comme échangeurs thermiques dans les systèmes de pompes à chaleur géothermiques pour des bâtiments; une pratique devenue populaire ces dernières années. Cet article vise à étudier le comportement des pieux géothermiques dans des conditions climatiques et géologiques de Winnipeg, Manitoba. Des analyses couplées thermo-hydro-mécaniques (THM) par la méthode des éléments finis ont été réalisées pour des pieux géothermiques hypothétiques flottants et chargés en pointe. Ces pieux ont été soumis à des chargements mécaniques et à des cycles de chauffage et de refroidissement pendant six ans. Les résultats numériques ont été présentés en termes de déplacements de la tête de pieu, de déformations et de charges développées dans les pieux, ainsi que de frottement latéral, de contraintes effectives radiales le long des interfaces pieu-sol et de pressions interstitielles excessives induites par le chargement thermique dans le sol.

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Cite this article:
Alitking Anongphouth; Pooneh Maghoul; Marolo Alfaro (2019) Numerical investigation of concrete energy pile behavior in Winnipeg using coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical finite element analyses in GEO2019. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{Geo2019Paper329,author = Alitking Anongphouth; Pooneh Maghoul; Marolo Alfaro,title = Numerical investigation of concrete energy pile behavior in Winnipeg using coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical finite element analyses ,year = 2019}