Steady-state component of three-dimensional slab-on-grade foundation heat transfer

General semi-analytical solutions for the steady-state heat conduction prob lems for circular and three-dimensional rectangular slab-on-grade floors wi th uniform insulation are presented. The soil temperature field, and the to tal slab heat loss are presented and analyzed using the Interzone Temperatu re Profile Estimation (ITPE) technique. A parametric analysis is conducted to determine the effect of thermal insulation U-value, slab size. and water table depth on the total slab heat loss. In particular. it was found that the total slab hear loss is independent of its shape bur is strongly affect ed by the slab size and thermal characteristics.