Experimental analysis of a thermoactive underground railway station

Little is known about the real energy potential of thermoactive underground infrastructures, such as railway stations, that can act a heating/cooling provider for built environment. This study presents results thermomechanical full-scale in situ testing and numerical analysis train station. The thermal performance related geostructural impact portion new infrastructure (UEI) installed at Lancy-Bachet station Geneva (Switzerland) are analyzed. Heating cooling tests simulating operative geothermal conditions considered. Particular attention given to (i) monitored wall–tunnel hydrothermal interactions, (ii) response UEI inputs (iii) behavior geostructure. Among main this study, it shown how tunnel considerably varies on seasonal basis, while circulation completely drives airflow tunnel. shows strong heat storage due conductive transfers between geostructure soil, lower fluxes detected interface. extraction magnitude with respect because limited range fluid temperatures concurrent action temperature variations boundaries affecting materials within UEI. Preliminary guidelines test execution infrastructures also reported. suggests different wall behaviors vertical longitudinal directions. Low-magnitude strains recorded, mechanical capacity existing satisfactorily sustain actions.