ISSN: 1945-7545
CODEN: GTJODJ
Page Count: 4

A Model Study of the Influence of Stress on the Thermal Conductivity of Dry Sand

Wetzel, RA
Professor of civil engineering and associate professor of mechanical engineering, University of Wisconsin—Platteville, Platteville, WI

Rolle, KC
Professor of civil engineering and associate professor of mechanical engineering, University of Wisconsin—Platteville, Platteville, WI

Abstract

An equivalent resistor model was investigated to determine its suitability for describing the thermal conductivity of dry granular soils. The suitability of the model for incorporating the influence of stress on thermal conductivity was also examined. The parameters necessary to specify the model were determined experimentally by fitting the model to measured values of thermal conductivity from two different granular soils. Measurements were made with a thermal probe located in the center of cylindrical specimens of dry sand which were subjected to isotropic compressive stresses in a modified triaxial cell. It was found that the model provides a convenient and accurate method to determine the thermal conductivity of dry granular soils.

Keywords:
thermal properties, thermal conductivity, soils, sands

Paper ID: GTJ10693J
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ10693J
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