Multidimensional simulation of earth-contact heat transfer

A numerical investigation of earth-contact heat transfer adjacent to an experimental structure is presented. In particular, a comparison is made between a two- and a three-dimensional simulation. The results are compared directly with data measured from a purpose-built full-scale experiment. Indirect methods of estimating thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity are described and employed. The results show reasonable correlation between the simulated and measured thermal responses. The three-dimensional simulation appears to provide an improved representation of the field problem. Some of the challenges associated with simulating a full-scale field problem are considered. The determination of the representative boundary and initial conditions is shown to be important.