Cyclic load-transfer approach for the analysis of energy piles

Moreover, a two-dimensional finite-element model has been developed by incorporating unloading-reloading responses into the monotonic load-transfer curves to define the soil-energy pile interaction during heat exchange operations. In this paper, the development of the finite-element model and information on the full-scale field test are presented along with the validation of the model with the observational data for the application of pure temperature cycles. This study reveals that the proposed model yields satisfactory results in terms of cyclic thermal behavior of energy piles, where the development of appropriate load-transfer curves representing the soil-pile interaction is of paramount importance.