Energy Pile Simulation - an Application of THM-Modeling

Energy piles, i.e. heat exchangers located within the foundation piles of buildings, are used for heating or cooling purposes. Although the absolute values of deformations and temperature gradients are low or moderate, the entire setting may be influenced by thermo- hydro-mechanical couplings. The fluctuating thermal regime may affect the deformation due to mechanical loading. Groundwater flow changes the temperature distribution around the piles and due to pore pressure may also have an effect on the mechanical state of the sub-surface material. We show, that such process interactions can be investigated by a coupled numerical approach.