Finite element back-analysis of the Lambeth College energy pile test
Finite element back-analysis of the Lambeth College energy pile test
The Lambeth College test energy pile test was undertaken in 2007 in south London. Its results have supported the development of our current understanding regarding the behaviour of thermally-activated piles. However, some aspects of the test results were initially reported to have proven challenging to reproduce numerically. Recent work by the authors has shown that there are discrepancies within the transient data from the test that can be best explained by invoking concrete creep under-maintained load and revisiting the operational concrete stiffness as a simple function of strain. This study expands on this work by undertaking thermo-mechanical numerical back-analysis of the test pile under differing sets of assumptions with and without a concrete creep model, with differing elastic stiffness models for the reinforced concrete body of the pile, and the use of a nonlinear elastic stiffness model for the soil. This study underlines some crucial aspects of pile mechanical and thermo-mechanical behaviour and analysis that are not often considered by designers and provides guidance on the suitability of concrete creep models and the selection of operational concrete stiffness in numerical analyses involving cyclic thermal loading.
Zsombor Illes; P. J. Bourne-Webb
20th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (Sydney)
TC308
Finite Element / Finite Difference, Pile Foundations, Energy Geotechnics, Geothermal
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