Finite element analyses of energy piles using different constitutive models

Energy piles are foundation elements having the double scope of transferring structural loads from the structure to the ground and of exchanging heat with the surrounding soil. It follows that pile state of stress and settlement are altered by the time-dependent temperature change in both pile and soil. This work is aimed at investigating the effect of thermal cycles on the behaviour of a single energy pile. To this end, fully coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical analyses have been carried out using the Finite Element code ABAQUS. The single pile is installed in a normally consolidated clay behaving according to different constitutive models involving Mohr-Coulomb, Modified Cam Clay and Hypoplastic. The latter is employed with and without the thermal formulation capable of accounting for the thermal collapse of NC clays during heating. A single free-head pile is considered and the results are presented in terms of pile axial force and settlement developed cycle by cycle.