Steady-periodic three-dimensional foundation heat transfer from refrigerated structures

Analytical solutions for steady-periodic ground-coupled heat conduction pro blems for cylindrical and three-dimensional rectangular slab-on-grade floor s beneath refrigerated structures with uniform and partial insulation are p resented in this paper. The solutions provide the soil temperature field, a nd the total slab heat gain. A parametric analysis is conducted to determin e the effect of thermal insulation U-value and insulation width on the mean , amplitude, and phase lag of total slab heat gain. In particular, it was f ound that the mean and the amplitude of the total slab heat gain are effect ively independent of its shape but are strongly affected by the slab size a nd thermal characteristics. [S0199-6231(00)00502-5].