Analysis of the underground subsurface nvironment in a desert climate with particular reference to Kuwait is presented in this paper. Using an existing model (Labs 1989) hourly predictions are made of the soil subsurface temperature as a function of depth below ground level and time of year. The treatment employs a value of thermal diffusivity based on the amplitude method and an accurate assessment of the physical properties of Kuwaiti soil. The subsurface temperatures predicted using the model were compared against measured Kuwaiti ground temperature values, which showed that best agreement with model predictions occurred for a soil thermal diffusivity value of 0.0038 m²/h. The degree-days technique (for quantifying the severity of the climate and relating it to energy consumption for space heating/cooling of buildings) is used to show the potential of the subsurface environment for moderating building energy usage. The latter can be realized by using an earth-air heating exchanger system. The subsoil temperature prediction model with the heating/cooling degree-days approach has been encoded within the TRNSYS-IISIBAT environment and is a useful tool for investigating the energy conservation potential of the subsurface environment for buildings with earth-air heat exchangers in a desert climate.

Units: SI