Numerical Study on the Suitability of Centrifuge Testing for Capturing the Thermal-Induced Mechanical Behavior of Energy Piles

Currently, the suitability of centrifuge testing for capturing the thermal-induced mechanical behavior of full-scale energy piles has not been established, yet, despite their increasing worldwide development. Looking at this challenge, this paper investigates through thermomechanical numerical analyses the capability of centrifuge tests to reproduce fundamental aspects of the response of full-scale energy piles in dry sand when subjected to thermal and mechanical loads. The analysis proves the appropriateness of centrifuge tests for the considered goal and comments on crucial points that have to be considered when modeling energy pile-related problems. (C) 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.