Assessment of thermal behaviour of thermo-active diaphragm walls based on monitoring data

Thermo-active diaphragm walls have proved their effectiveness in the thermal conditioning of buildings and infrastructures. However, some aspects still need to be investigated in order to tailor methods and tools for an accurate prediction of their energy and structural performance. In this perspective, some issues are addressed that concern the definition of models for the numerical analysis, in particular issues about the modelling of geometry and thermal boundary conditions. Taking advantage of a monitoring programme on a real full-scale structure, this research focuses on the assessment of heat transfer process and thermal response of diaphragm wall and soil mass on the basis of field data. Understanding of the heat transfer process contributes to the definition of the time-dependent thermal boundary conditions at the excavation side. From the analysis of thermal gradients in the wall, the condition at the excavation side is recognised as a major factor that influences the heat transfer process, governing the direction of the heat flux in different seasons of operation of the geothermal system.