ABSTRACT
A numerical study was performed for evaluating the geothermal potential of foundation piles used as heat exchangers with the ground, based in a case-study of a building in Aveiro University Campus. The influence of the soil thermal properties, the location of the water table level and the presence of the building’s slab on the thermal performance of the pile were investigated regarding the efficiency of the system. Climate data records concerning temperature from different sources in the city of Aveiro were considered. As expected, when the water table is located closest to the surface, the GSHP performs better than if considered at lowest point. Overall, considering a slab as a temperature boundary between soil and building hinders the efficiency of the thermo-active pile, reversing the direction of the heat flux in the soil, if a long term analysis is considered (5 years).
