Thermo-mechanical analysis of energy piles through numerical and centrifuge tests

For over thirty years, finite element analyses and centrifuge tests have been successfully applied to investigate the response of a large series of geotechnical engineering problems. However, although the capability of finite element analysis to capture the thermal-induced mechanical behaviour of real-scale energy piles has been assessed, the suitability of centrifuge tests for the same purpose has not yet been validated despite their increasing application. This paper investigates the capability and suitability of centrifuge tests for describing the thermal-induced mechanical behaviour of energy piles based on a comparison between a series of results obtained through numerical and centrifuge analyses. In particular, it analyses the response of energy piles in dry sand subjected to mechanical and thermal loads. The study outlines the appropriateness of centrifuge tests for the considered purpose and remarks crucial points that have to be considered when modelling energy pile-related-problems.