Shallow geothermal energy (SGE) systems are becoming increasingly popular due to both their environmental and economic value. By using the ground as a source and sink for thermal energy, SGE systems are able to more efficiently heat and cool structures. However, their utility beyond structural heating and cooling is being realized as their applications now extend to slab and pavement heating, grain and agricultural drying, and swimming pool temperature control. Relatively recently, SGE systems have been combined with deep foundations to create a dual purpose element that can provide both structural support as well as thermal energy exchange with the subsurface. These thermo-active foundations provide the benefits of SGE systems without the additional installation costs. One of the novel applications of thermo-active foundations is in bridge deck deicing. Bridge decks experience two main winter weather related problems. The first of which is preferential icing, where the bridge freezes before the adjacent roadway because the bridge undergoes hastened energy loss due to its exposed nature. The second problem is the accelerated deterioration of concrete bridge decks resulting from the application of salts and other chemicals that are used to prevent accumulation and/or melt the frozen precipitation on roads and bridges. By utilizing the foundation of a bridge as a mechanism by which to access the shallow geothermal energy of the subsurface, energy can be supplied to the deck during the winter to melt and/or prevent frozen precipitation. An experimental ground-source bridge deck deicing system was constructed and the performance is discussed. Numerical models simulating the bridge deck and subsurface system components were also created and validated using the results from the numerical tests. Furthermore, the observed loads that result in a foundation from bridge deck deicing tests are shown. In order to better design for these loads, tools were developed that can predict the temperature change in the subsurface and foundation components during operation. Mechanisms by which to improve the efficiency of these systems without increasing the size of the borehole field were explored. Ultimately this research shows that SGE can effectively be used for bridge deck deicing. / Ph. D.

Geothermal energy is one of the oldest forms of energy on our planet. Its use by humanity dates back to the beginning of the ages. The forms of this energy gradually changed from the direct heat of the hot springs, through the heating of the buildings and the baths to the later use of superheated steam for industrial use. Nowadays, there is a large share of the use of large number of ground geothermal boreholes with heat exchangers drilled in the matrix. The geometric arrangement of such system has a considerable impact on its operation. Specific examples show that, unlike the design, actual boreholes in such system can often be drilled non vertically or even curved. These imperfections then usually deteriorate the thermal properties of the system. This thesis demonstrates the influence analysis of the borehole geometry distortion on the system thermal properties, it also informs about the development of a special measuring device designed to obtain information about the actual geometric shape of the investigated borehole and about the development of software for in situ rapid borehole system properties evaluation. The theoretical part of thesis contains the derivation of a simplified numerical model of heat conduction in the vicinity of the borehole system. Its results serve to compare the different borehole variants and the inaccuracy of borehole shaping. Using the simulations, the influence of inaccuracies in the borehole system on its thermal properties is demonstrated in several model configurations. This effect does not occur in a single borehole, but it is significantly visible in organized geothermal borehole systems. It may deteriorate system properties, but under certain circumstances its properties may improve. Verification of the results of these simulations was performed by the FEFLOW simulation software. In the practical part the development of a special instrument for measuring the shape of a geothermal energy borehole is documented. ....

This thesis deals with the constructive-technological project of the object "Pool Hall" that is a part of newly built recreational complex. The project includes a technical report, time and financial plan, project construction site equipment, technological specification for monolithic construction, safety principles of construction and building envelope assessment in terms of heat transfer.