Effect of spatial variation of soil thermal properties on slab-on-ground heat transfer

A time-varying solution is developed to determine the heat transfer between an insulated slab-on-grade floor and non-homogeneous ground. The soil just beneath the slab has thermal properties that are different from those of the ground surrounding the slab foundation. Using the Interzone Temperature Profile Estimation (ITPE) technique, the soil temperature field and the total slab heat loss are presented and analyzed for both winter and summer conditions. In particular, the effect of soil thermal conductivity on the total slab heat loss is discussed in detail.