Poromechanical Modeling of Frozen Soils for Geothermal Energy Development in Cold Regions
摘要
Sustainable development in northern Canadian communities, especially Indigenous communities, necessitates a transition to clean energy solutions. Simultaneously, Arctic permafrost is increasingly at risk of degradation due to climate change, threatening local infrastructure. Effective permafrost preservation strategies require understanding the poromechanical response of frozen soils under thermal disturbances. This research presents a resilient ground improvement approach integrating Ground Source Heat Pump systems to supply sustainable energy, promote climate adaptation, and stabilize permafrost. A thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) model is developed to simulate the poromechanical behavior of frozen soils, emphasizing plastic deformation. The model is implemented within the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE), offering flexibility for various soil types and environmental conditions. By incorporating a plastic constitutive model into the governing equations, the approach accurately captures irreversible deformations. Additionally, the custom-built numerical engine is employed to conduct regional poromechanical analyses of frozen ground subjected to heat exchanger operations in a Canadian Arctic climate. The findings provide critical insights for engineers and researchers involved in designing resilient infrastructure in cold regions, considering the ongoing impacts of climate change.