Numerical and experimental evaluation on methods for parameter identification of thermal response tests

Several parameter identification methods of thermal response test were evaluated through numerical and experimental study. A three-dimensional finite-volume numerical model was established under the assumption that the soil thermal conductivity had been known in the simulation of thermal response test. The thermal response curve was firstly obtained through numerical calculation. Then, the accuracy of the numerical model was verified with measured data obtained through a thermal response test. Based on the numerical and experimental thermal response curves, the thermal conductivity of the soil was calculated by different parameter identification methods. The calculated results were compared with the assumed value and then the accuracy of these methods was evaluated. Furthermore, the effects of test time, variable data quality, borehole radius, initial ground temperature, and heat injection rate were analyzed. The results show that the method based on cylinder-source model has a low precision and the identified thermal conductivity decreases with an increase in borehole radius. For parameter estimation, the measuring accuracy of the initial temperature of the deep ground soil has greater effect on identified thermal conductivity.