Energy pile is a relatively new foundation technology for extracting the shallow geothermal energy from surrounding rock and soil mass when transferring the load of the upper building

which poses a new challenge for the design and safety service of pile foundations. In the view of the practical application of energy piles

this paper focuses on two key scientific issues of heat transfer performance and bearing performance of energy piles. The main research problems related to energy piles are introduced from the following four types of research: heat transfer of energy piles

structural response characteristics of energy piles

bearing performance of energy piles

and load transfer mechanism of energy piles. On this basis

the applicability of current heat transfer model of energy piles

the bearing characteristics of single pile and pile groups under heat exchange

bearing performance and structural safety under long-term operating conditions are discussed. Finally

future research on energy pile engineering is prospected. The analysis results are significant for ensuring structural safety and developing the shallow ground energy rationally.