Investigation of the Effects of Concrete’s Thermal Characteristics on the Thermal Performance of Geothermal Piles Considering Mixed Convection

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Geotechnical Engineering Group, Department of Civil Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

10.22060/ceej.2026.23769.8212

Abstract

Geothermal piles are multifunctional structures that simultaneously serve structural and thermal purposes and are considered an emerging approach for utilizing renewable geothermal energy, contributing effectively to sustainable development. The thermal performance of these piles is influenced by environmental conditions as well as various hydraulic and thermal parameters. In this study, a finite element numerical model is employed to investigate the influence of concrete thermal properties on the thermal performance of a geothermal pile, taking into account the effects of a saturated layered soil, groundwater flow, and the associated natural and forced convective heat transfer mechanisms. The study addresses the question of which type of concrete provides superior thermal performance for geothermal piles. Furthermore, a quantitative comparison of the influence of these parameters on the heat exchange capacity of the energy pile is conducted using a sensitivity analysis approach. The results indicate that the thermal conductivity of concrete, with a sensitivity coefficient of 0.2607, has the most significant impact on thermal performance, whereas the specific heat capacity and mass density of concrete exhibit the least influence. Consequently, optimizing concrete thermal properties, particularly prioritizing thermal conductivity, can be considered an effective criterion for selecting an appropriate concrete mix design for geothermal piles from a thermal performance perspective, ensuring maximum system efficiency.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Amirkabir Journal of Civil Engineering
Volume 57, Issue 11
February 2026
Pages 1939-1960

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics