Effects of Energy Loops on the Geotechnical Performance of Geothermal Energy Piles-Video

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Joshua Omer of Kingston University used 3D numerical modelling to investigate how polyethylene geothermal loops may affect pile capacity. Sixty pile configurations in dry sand were analysed, varying pile dimensions and loop numbers. Because the software could not embed tubes within piles, the tubes were modelled attached to the pile exterior and extending into the soil beneath its base.<br /><br />Results suggested that a small number of loops could increase capacity through a reinforcing effect, while many loops could reduce it by congesting the highly stressed soil beneath the pile. For a 2 m diameter pile, 11 loops were associated with an estimated capacity loss of nearly 70%; three to four loops sometimes increased capacity by 30–75%. The presenter attributed the changes mainly to tube–soil interactions at the pile base, rather than effects on shaft resistance.<br /><br />These findings are preliminary and theoretical. Laboratory and field testing, as well as further modelling, are needed to validate them.

Keywords

geothermal loops

pile capacity

3D numerical modelling

polyethylene tubes

dry sand

tube-soil interaction