Variations of Ground Temperature in Shallow Depths in the Silesian Region

Abstract

Abstract Knowledge of temperature distribution in relation to time and depth is necessary in many applications. These include: designing GSHP (ground source heat pump) and EAHE (earth-air heat exchangers) systems, calculating heat loss in buildings, in determining foundation depth for buildings and structures with consideration of frost penetration depth, designing pavement of roads and airports or designing underground systems of energy transmission. Regular measurements and perfecting models describing temperature in the ground is therefore extremely valuable. This article presents authors’ own research on ground temperature changes in time and distribution of temperature at different depths, up to c. 2.0 m beneath ground level. The tests were performed in the Silesia region over a period of 6 months between May and October, using thermistors installed in the ground at various depths. The measurements were compared with temperature of the air, measured at test stations using a meteorological multisensor in order to find a correlation. Aside from readings of temperature over time and profiles of ground temperatures the paper contains selected elements of statistical analysis of the measurements. It was noted that the temperature distribution is closely related to depth below ground level, and the influence of outside temperatures decreases with depth.