The Latest DFI Journal The most recent issue of the DFI Journal — Volume 8, Issue 2 — is dedicated to the state of practice of geothermal founda- tions, with a particu- lar focus on energy pile foundations. The Journal editors, Anne Lemnitzer, Ph.D., from University of California, Irvine, and Tim Siegel, P.E., of Dan Brown and Associates, Inc., selected and organized the seven papers in collaboration with Guney Olgun, Ph.D., professor at Virginia Tech, and John McCartney, Ph.D., from University of California, San Diego. This issue summarizes the latest research findings and developments in the field of geothermal pile foundations presented in March 2013 at an NSF (National Science Foundation) sponsored international workshop and supplemented by the authors’ most recent individual research studies. This volume provides a multinational perspective on how to better design and implement geotechnical energy systems. The following papers are included: • Olgun and McCartney overview the general principles of thermoactive geotechnical systems. • Amis et al. discuss the best practices in installation, field testing and laboratory investigations along with the benefits of early project collaboration related to the construction of geothermal systems using specific examples drawn from current practice in the U.K. • Olgun et al. provide a presentation of the existing guidelines and their implementation in building codes and the need for a uniform design procedure that is sufficiently supported through research data. The discussion also includes incentives for the further advancement of green energy with a particular focus on programs such as BREEAM (in the U.K.) and LEED (in the U.S.). • Katzenbach et al. focus on new technologies and materials in near surface geothermal systems, presenting several experimental case studies with accompanying analytical modeling. • Laloui et al. study the impact of thermo hydromechanical behavior of soils on thermoactive geotechnical systems, and how it affects the performance of thermoactive geotechnical system. • Bourne-Webb et al. take a critical look at the analytical capabilities to predict thermal stress and strain response and provide valuable recommendations on how to surmount shortcomings of the existing methods in accurately simulating cyclic heating and cooling effects, transient pore water pressure generation and dissipation, and the effects of radial stress changes. • Finally, Nicholson et al. provide a perspective on the sustainability of geothermal systems, discussing the environmental impact and regulations and a life cycle analysis supported by a case study of 61 drilled thermoactive piles. The DFI Journal is available online to all DFI members through your MyDFI account. Members and nonmembers can order printed copies of the 2007-2013 volumes of the Journal from the publica- tions page of www.dfi.org; members at preferential rates. Subscrip- tions are available at http://www.maneyonline.com/pricing/dfi. Please direct comments and questions on technical content to the Journal editors, Anne Lemnitzer at [email protected] and Tim Siegel at [email protected]. 38 • DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAR/APR 2015
