Temperature Field and Optimal Design of Duct-Ventilated Tower Foundation in Permafrost Regions

Abstract

The bearing capacity and deformation characteristics of a tower foundation are seriously affected by its temperature status in permafrost regions. It is very important to maintain the tower foundation at a lower temperature status. In this paper, a ventilation duct is introduced into the tower foundation to decline the temperature around the tower footing. A 3D numerical heat transfer model is established to investigate the cooling effectiveness of a duct-ventilated tower foundation. Several cases with different parameters (e.g., diameters and buried depths) are calculated to compare the temperature distribution around the tower foundation during the cold season. The results show a significant cooling effect of the foundation near the ventilation duct, and an optimized case is found. In the warm season, the adjustable shutter is employed in the duct-ventilated tower foundation to prevent heat in the tower foundation. It is established that an adjustable shutter installed in the ventilation duct can keep the tower foundation in a frozen state in the warm season.