No abstract

Thermal conductivity of the ground is an important parameter in the design of ground energy systems, which have an increasing role to play in providing renewable heat to the built environment. For larger schemes, the bulk thermal conductivity of the ground surrounding the system is often determined in situ using a thermal response test. Although this test method is commonly used, its limitations are often not fully understood, leading to an over-simplistic interpretation that may fail to identify key facets of the ground thermal behaviour. These limitations are highlighted using data from an instrumented thermal response test carried out in a 150 m deep borehole in east London. It is shown that a single, unique value of bulk thermal conductivity may not be appropriate, as stratification of the ground can lead to differences in thermal performance, depending on the direction of heat flow. Groundwater flow within the Chalk aquifer is also shown to have an important effect on the long-term heat transfer characteristics.

Historically only shallow basements were included in developments in Cork city owing to the underlying layers of soft alluvium and high-permeability glaciofluvial gravels. In recent times several large schemes, with basements up to 10 m deep, have been completed. In this paper the design and performance of these developments is summarized. Particular emphasis is placed on two schemes at Eglinton St. and Half Moon St. Although dewatering by deep well systems is feasible, flow rates can be substantial. Careful consideration needs to be given to the site-specific properties of the glaciofluvial gravels to permit the level of the cut-off to be efficiently chosen so as to minimize inflows and external groundwater lowering and to mitigate against the possible risk of surface settlements. A ‘soft gel’ grout blanket was used successfully as an alternative at one site. Lateral wall movements were low and it seems possible that more efficient designs are possible, especially if the small strain stiffness and dilation properties of the material are taken into account.

The paper describes the performance of a dewatering and groundwater recharge system for a large excavation in chalk. The assessment of the effective bulk permeability of the chalk, and the probable hydraulic boundary conditions are discussed. The measured extraction and recharge flow rates, and the porewater pressures in certain locations, are in reasonable agreement with those calculated using a simple flownet analysis. The influence of groundwater chemistry on the effectiveness of the dewatering system is discussed with reference to an incident towards the end of the pumping period which led to the clogging of the pumps due to calcium carbonate precipitation following a rise in the pH of the groundwater. KEYWORDS: basements; case history; chalk; chemical properties; groundwater; permeability. L'article décrit les performances du système de drainage et de recharge des nappes mis en oeuvre dans une excavation de grande taille réalisée dans de la craie. I.'évalulation de la perméabilité effective de la craie et les conditions hydrauliques probables aux limites sont discutées. Les débits mesurés lors de l'extraction et lors de la recharge, ainsi que les pressions interstitielles d'eau en certains endroits, sont en accord avec ceux calculés à l'aide d'une analyse simple de réseaux d'écoulement. L'influence du propriétes chimiques de l'eau sur l'efficacité du système de drainage est étudiée au travers d'un incident ayant eu lieu en fin de période de pompage et qui a conduit à un colmatage de la pompe par un précipité de carbonate de calcium dû à une augmentation du pH de la nappe.

To facilitate construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link through Ashford in cut-and-cover tunnels and retained cut, it was necessary to control pore water pressures in the relatively low-permeability, laminated Weald Clay. This was achieved by means of an ejector well dewatering system. This paper describes and discusses the investigations carried out to characterise the in situ permeability of the Weald Clay, the design and performance of the ejector well system installed, and the associated soil surface settlements. The correlation between the changes in pore pressure and settlements at the site is compared with that given by Preene et al. This comparison is used to evaluate the method, and to provide some insights into the selection of appropriate parameter values of soil permeability and stiffness.