Comprehensive and Powerful
TEMP/W is a finite element software product for analyzing thermal
changes in the ground due to environmental changes or due to the
construction of facilities such as buildings or pipelines. The
comprehensive formulation makes it possible to analyze both simple
and highly complex geothermal problems. You can apply TEMP/W to the
geothermal analysis and design of geotechnical, civil, and mining
engineering projects, including facilities that are subjected to
freezing and thawing temperature changes.
TEMP/W is formulated to account for the latent heat associated
with water turning into ice and ice turning into water. The rate
at which the latent heat is absorbed or released is controlled by
an unfrozen water content function. Above the phase change temperature,
all the water is unfrozen. As the temperature falls below the phase
change point, the portion of the water that remains unfrozen decreases.
Complete flexibility in defining the unfrozen water content function
makes it possible to analyze a wide variety of ground conditions. When
linked with
SEEP/W or
AIR/W it can consider convective heat transfer
if flowing water or moving air.
Easy to Use
Defining a Geothermal Model
The unique CAD-like technology in TEMP/W allows you to generate your
finite element mesh by drawing regions on the screen. You can then
specify material properties and interactively apply boundary conditions.
Boundary conditions can be automatically created from imported climate
data, thermosyphon properties, and convective surface data. If you
make a mistake, you can correct it using the Undo command.
Viewing the Analysis Results
Once you have solved your geothermal problem, TEMP/W offers many
tools for viewing results. Generate contours or x-y plots of any
computed parameter, such as temperature, flux, gradient, latent
heat, or net radiation. Gradient vectors show the energy flow
direction and rate. Transient conditions can be shown by plotting
the changing frost front position over time. View energy flow paths
and flux quantities. Interactively query computed values by clicking
on any node, element Gauss region, or flux section. Then export the
results into other applications, such as Microsoft Excel or Word,
for further analysis or to prepare presentations.
Typical Applications
TEMP/W can model almost any geothermal problem, including:
- Degradation of permafrost beneath warm buildings or around a warm, buried pipeline
- Development of a frost bulb around a chilled pipeline
- Ground freezing for soil stabilization, including use of freezing pipes around mine shafts or thermosyphons on top of earth dams
- Freeze-thaw action beneath roadways and airport runways
- Frost depth penetration beneath chilled structures such as a recreational ice surface or a highway during winter
- Effectiveness of various insulation alternatives for reducing freezing and/or thawing
- plus many more!
