Numerical analysis on geothermal energy pile subjected to multiple cycles of thermal loading

Geothermal energy piles are an innovative and environmentally alternative option than conventional piles, which only provide structural support. Encouragingly, these Geothermal energy piles are renewable and sustainable because they not only support buildings but also use the earth’s inherent low-grade heat for space heating and cooling. The challenge facing this fascinating area of geotechnical engineering is the need for in-depth understanding of how these piles respond to mechanical and thermal loading. This study investigates the thermo- mechanical behavior of energy piles subjected to single and multiple thermal cycles using the finite element program ABAQUS CAE 2017. The pile was modeled with a linear elastic approach, while the soil was represented using the Mohr-Coulomb model.