Cross validation of analytical solutions against the computational model predictions of the response of semi floating energy pile

Kansas State University, Department of Civil Engineering, 1701C Platt St., Manhattan, KS 66506-5000, US

^* Dunja Perić: peric@ksu.edu

Abstract

In this study, responses of a single semi floating energy pile to a combined thermal and mechanical load are predicted by analytical and computational models. The axial compressive load applied at the pile head comprises the mechanical load while the thermal load is applied by prescribing the temperature difference history to the pile. The temperature difference is the difference between the temperatures of the pile and the surrounding soil. The energy pile is surrounded by a single uniform soil layer underlain by the bedrock, which is flush with the pile tip. A selected combination of thermal and mechanical loads resulted in an upward displacement, tensile strain and compressive stress in the case of heating. In the case of cooling the load combination resulted in a downward displacement, compressive strain and tensile stress. In spite of different methods of obtaining soil stiffness parameters for analytical and computational models the predictions of both methods are in a very good agreement.