Application of Fourier transforms to periodic heat flow into the ground under a building (Q789987)

The present analysis deals with the Fourier transform application to heat flow within a semi-infinite space where the temperature distribution is prescribed. Earlier works of Vuorelainen and Muncey [see e.g. \textit{O. Vuorelainen}, State Inst. Tech. Res., Finland, Publ. No.52 and 55 (1960) and No.76 (1963); \textit{R. W. Muncey} and \textit{J. W. Spencer}, Proc. I.C.H.M.T. Inst. Sem. Heat and Mass Transfer in Buildings, Dubrovnik (1977)] had been the basis of the present problem where the surface studied was considered to be a rectangular single floor. An exact solution for the heat flow at the surface was obtained which is proportional to the temperature gradient there. This temperature gradient may be put as the convolution of a Fourier transform with the prescribed temperature on the surface. In the study of non-steady two dimensional flow the total heat flow is divided into edge component and downward component. Later on the three dimensional steady-state heat flow problem was discussed where an explicit analytical expression was obtained with good agreement with the graphical results of Vuorelainen. The paper is well presented and is very useful for further study of such type of problem.