Analysis of Heat and Moisture Transfer Beneath Freezer Foundations—Part I

Abstract

This paper provides a numerical solution for simultaneous heat and moisture transfer within frozen soil beneath slab foundations of refrigerated warehouses. The developed solution is validated using data from experimental tests. A parametric analysis is then performed to determine the impact of slab insulation levels and to estimate the time required to reach steady-state ground-coupled heat transfer conditions. Finally, the solution is utilized to determine an effective soil thermal conductivity that could be used in a purely heat conduction model for ground-coupled heat transfer beneath freezers.