ABSTRACT
The study of the thermal behaviour of soils dates back several decades, often associated with its strain rate dependency. More recently with the diversification of soil use, such as in the exploitation of shallow geothermal systems and other applications, this study has gained renewed interest and an enlarged scope. Moreover, in the current climatic context, both the different amplitudes of thermal cycles and the expressive, sometimes sudden, variations in water table levels, especially at geological shallower levels, are likely to impact the performance of structures and infrastructure. The assessment of the sustainability of soil use as a resource and its structural study must be based on an adequate knowledge of its behaviour from a multiphysical perspective, where thermal, mechanical, and hydraulic processes interact. A phenomenological description of the thermal behaviour of soils is presented in an integrated view, considering experimental and numerical characterization, aiming a proper planning and a sustainable use, furthermore with reference to ongoing studies on the geological formations of the city of Lisbon.
