The effect of water table depth on steady-state heat transfer through a slab-on-ground floor

Abstract The effect of water table depth and temperature on the total heat flux through a slab-on-ground floor has not been previously analysed explicitly. In this paper the two-dimensional problem is solved using a conformal transformation. An expression for the total flux from the floor is obtained and compared with the total flux without a water table. Results are presented graphically for a water table temperature equal to the outdoor temperature, for realistic ranges of two governing parameters : the ratio of building width to water table depth, and the ratio of wall thickness to building width. For any water table depth greater than the building width, the flux is found to be within 10% of the flux without a water table.