Design Aspects of an Energy Piles

Abstract

The paper deals with the issue of thermomechanical loading of the energy pile, which is also subjected to thermal stresses compared to a conventional pile, which is required to carry only static loads. In the context of the thermal volumetric changes of the energy pile, the stiffness of an upper structure, and a behaviour of the contact between the pile and the soil environment, we are presented with a problem that goes beyond standard design procedures. The issue is presented by a parametric study that evaluates the thermal load, the stiffness of the upper structure preventing thermal volumetric changes of the pile, but also the pile soil contact properties that have a major influence on the pile-soil friction and therefore the pile bearing capacity. The study was carried out using the Thermo-Pile software developed by the Soil Mechanics Laboratory of the University of Lausanne. This paper gives an overview of the differences in the design of energy piles and highlights the potential risks in their design.