A Temperature-Dependent Model for Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Energy Piles in Unsaturated Fine-Grained Soils

This study presents an analytical framework to estimate the change in ultimate bearing capacity of energy piles unsaturated fine-grained soils under drained mechanical loading conditions after heating. The was developed by extending conventional methods for temperature-dependent conditions, where thermally induced changes characteristics soil and soil–pile interface are considered. Specifically, variations matric suction effective saturation profiles with depth were incorporated into calculations shaft end soils. proposed model is validated against experimental data pile loaded failure Bonny silt, a good match between measured predicted values obtained. A parametric carried out evaluate effects infiltration rate aspect ratio (i.e., embedment length/pile diameter) on clay silt layers subjected temperatures ranging from 5°C 45°C. For both soils, shaft, bearing, capacities vary increase temperature. At reference temperature, end, monotonically length, while at elevated they nonmonotonically depth. given shows that decreases increasing downward water profile surrounding pile, it may decrease or depending length. increases all temperatures. Estimates critical part thermomechanical soil–structure interaction analyses needed design piles, so this contributes toward widespread application emerging technology practice.