Civil Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of Key Geomechanical Aspects Of Shallow And Deep Geothermal Energy, Robert Alexander Caulk

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Geothermal energy has become a focal point of the renewable energy revolution. Both shallow and deep types of geothermal energy have the potential to offset carbon emissions, reduce energy costs, and stimulate the economy. Before widespread geothermal exploration and exploitation can occur, both shallow and deep technologies require improvement by theoretical and experimental investigations. This thesis investigated one aspect of both shallow and deep geothermal energy technologies. First, a group of shallow geothermal energy piles was modeled numerically. The model was constructed, calibrated, and validated using available data collected from full-scale in-situ experimental energy piles. Following calibration, the model was …