The importance of boundary conditions on the modelling of energy retaining walls

Abstract

Shallow geothermal technologies have proven to efficiently provide renewable energy for space heating and cooling. Recently, significant attention has been given to utilising sub-surface structures, primarily designed for stability, to also exchange heat with the ground, converting them into energy geo-structures. This research includes investigations into the feasibility of applying this technology to retaining walls, focusing on the usually neglected interaction between the energy retaining wall and the air inside the underground space it contains (e.g., a building basement, a metro station). Even though soldier pile walls are adopted for the study, the results are applicable for any retai..