Elaboration of charts based on geometry variations for the design of thermo-active piles

Contemporary living, the extreme climate changes and the necessity of renewable energy sources challenge the engineers around the globe to discover advanced methods of enabling a more comfortable life. For this purpose, geothermal energy systems are used to satisfy the calorific needs for cooling and heating. Thermo-active geo-structures, as dual-function elements, offer structural improvement and simultaneously provide eco-friendly and long-term cost-friendly solutions. This contribution provides an overview of the design of geothermal piles based on geometry variations. Hence, thermo-mechanical analyses are performed for axially loaded piles based on the load transfer approach using t-z curves method. With an absence of precise regulations and standards, the aim of these analyses is to simplify the design of thermo-active piles by generating an envelope chart utilizing the results for piles with different lengths and diameters. However, keeping a more realistic ratio of the geometry is of a significant importance, so that the piles are applicable on real project solutions.