A new 1D analytical model for computing the thermal field of concrete dams due to the environmental actions. (25th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santillán, D.; Salete, E.; Toledo, M.Á.
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 85(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 160
• Page End: 171
• Publication Date: 2015-06-25
• Subjects: Analytical solution -- Arch dam -- Finite element method -- Thermal analysis; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.04.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Abstract: A new analytical solution of the heat diffusion equation under specific boundary conditions is proposed. The solved problem is the flow of heat in a one-dimensional (1D) solid whose ends are in mediums at prescribed temperatures which follow a sinusoidal law in-phase. Heat is transferred by convection between the ends of the domain and the mediums. The solution is extended to other temperatures of the mediums through the discrete Fourier transformation. Moreover, several heat transfer mechanisms were accounted for by computing an equivalent temperature of the mediums. The performance of the new model was assessed by computing the recorded temperatures at an arch dam case study. Temperatures were computed by: (a) the new 1D analytical model, (b) an improved version of the 1D analytical solution proposed by Stucky and Derron, and (c) a three-dimensional finite element model. The root mean squared error of computed temperatures was 1.23 K for model (a), 3.92 K for (b), and 0.83 K for (c). The new model provided a much better performance than (b) and similar but poorer than (c). Highlights: A new analytical solution of the heat diffusion equation is proposed. The model is applied to an arch dam where recorded temperature data were available. Results of the new model were compared to the ones computed by other approaches. The new model provides a similar performance compared to the 3D numerical model. The root mean squared error was 1.23 and 0.83 K for the new model and the 3D model respectively.