14th Designation: D $334 - 92
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Soil and Soft Rock
by Thermal Needle Probe Procedure’
“This standard i issu unser te fved designation D
oesenptepaion «sie
1. Scope
LL1 This test method oresents a laboratory procedure for
determining the thermal conductivity ot soil and soft rock
{sing a transient heat method. This test method is applicable
for both undisturbed and remolded soil samples as well asia
situ and laboratory soft rock samples. This test method is
suitable only for isotropic materials.
1.2 This test method is applicable over the temperature
range from 20 to 100°C (68 to 212°F)
1.3 For satisfactory results in conformance with this test
‘method, the principles governing the size, construction, and
use of the apparatus described in this test method should be
followed. If the results are to be reported as having been
obtained by this test method. then all pertinent requirements
prescribed in this test method shall be met
114 Itis not practicable in a method of this type to aim to
establish details of construction and procedure to cover all
Contingencies that might offer difficulties toa person without
technical knowledge concerning the theory of heat flow,
Temperature measurement, and general testing practices.
Standardization of this test method does not reduce the need
for such technical knowledge. It is recognized also that it
would be unwise. because of the standardization of this test
method. to resist in any way the further development of
improved or new methods or procedures by research
workers.
1.5, The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard, The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
information only.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of she
safety problems, if any, associated with its use, It is the
responsibility of she user of this standard to establish appro-
priate sajery and heaith practices and determine the applica
Dility of regulatory limitations prior ro use
2. Referenced Document
1 ASTM Standard:
2216 Test Method for Laboratory Determination of
Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock*
3. Terminology
3.1 Symbols:
3.1.1 E—measured voltage (volts).
"This est method it under henson of ASTM Commitee D-18 on Sih
and Rock and ithe it =
‘rteat edton approved Nov. 5, 1992. Published January 1992,
Yad Book of AST Standards. Vo! 0808
tne numer edits io
onthe year as evs 4 number i prenexs tees Me eat 8
J-current flowing through heater wire (amps).
L—length of heater wire (mn.
\—thermai conductivity (watts/m-"X).
Q—power consumption of heater wire in watts per
unit length that is assumed to be the equivalent of feat
‘output per unit length of wire
3.1.6 R—total resistance of heater wire (ohms)
3.1.7 p—thecmal resistivity ("K-m/wato.
3.8. T,—initial temperature (°K),
3.1.9 4 —initial time (seconds)
3.1.10 T,—final temperature (°K).
3.111 f—final time (seconds).
1.
i
I
L
4, Summary of Test Method
4.1 The rate at which heat flows through a material is 2
measure of its thermal conductivity. In this test method the
thermal conductivity is determined by inserting a relatively
long needle of small diameter into the material. The needle
consists of both heating and temperature measuring ele-
ments, To perform the test a known amount of current is
passed through the heater element and the resulting variation
Of temperature is monitored as a function of time.
5, Significance and Use
3.1 The test method presented here is used to determine
the thermal conductivity (2) of both undisturbed and
remolded soil samples as well as in situ and laboratory soft
rack samples, This parameter is used in the thermal analysis,
of underground electrical transmission lines. oil pipelines.
radioactive waste disposal. and solar thermal storage facili
ties.
6. Apparatus
6.1 The apparatus shall consist of the following:
6.1.1 Thermal Needle Probe—A device that creates a
linear heat source and incorporates a temperature measuring
element (thermocouple or thermister) to measure the varia-
tion of temperarure at a point along the line. The construc
tion of the device is described in the annex.
6.1.2 Constant Current Source—A. device to produce 3
constant current.
6.1.3 Thermal Readou Unit—A device to produce a
digital readout of temperature in degrees Celsius to the
nearest 0.1°K.
6.14 Voliage-Ohm-Meter (VOM)—A device to read
voltage and current to the nearest 0.01 V and ampere,
6.1.5 Timer, stopwatch or similar time measuring instru-
ee to the nearest O.1 s for a
minimum of 15 mun.
6.1.6 Equipment. capable of drilling a 2.3 mm (0.09 in.)
yp aei
ecimen is undisturbed. remolded, or
including whether the
prepared in other we
11.1.2 Initial and inal water content and dry unit weight,
its 3 Specimen dimensions,
LL. 4 Description of consolidometer,
LLL5 Applied vertical stress at inundation, and
Percent compression or straia of the specimen at
aca applied vertical stress prior to inundation,
11.2 The data shall be plotted strain versus logarithm of
the applied verucal stress. vid ratio may be used instead of
stra :f specif gravity is determined:
Ui2.1 Figure [is an illustration of data from suits of
test Sor measuring collapse potential, J. is calculated for the
applied vertical stress of 100 kPa (1 t3f) by Eq (1a:
10 (96-15) = 81
where point C is at 9.6% strain and Point B is at 1.5%
straia, Potential serdlement of a soil layer 3 m (10 ft) thick
with this collapse potential is 8.1+3/100 = 0.24 m (0.81 ft
1.2.2 Collapse potential may be estimated for applied
vertical stress less than 100 kPa (1 tsf) by calculating the
difference in strain between the inundated (dotted) and
uuninundated curves. For example, collapse poteatial at 40
KPa (0.4 ts!)
[= (68-08) = 60
Settlement of the soil layer is 6.0-3/100 = 0.18 m (0.6 ft).
11.3 ll departures from these procedures including spe-
cial loading sequences, special specimen preparation proce-
dures, special specimen dimensions, and special wetting
fluid.
11.4 Collapse index, 1, of collapse potential, J, which-
ever is applicable as defined in Section 3,
D5333
z
STRAIN (dg
a racing mm on)
{= hal racing at seating stress, mm fn)
7g “ital spearnen rah, mm if.)
Nove 49 ~ dif is muted by 100 to tan percent.
FIG. 1 Example Compression Curve of the Collapse Potentia!
Test
12. Precision and Bias
12.1 Data are being evaluated to determine the precision
of this test method. In addition, Subcommittee 18.05 is,
seeking pertinent data from users of the test method.
12.2 There is no accepted reference value for this test
‘method, therefore, bias cannot be determined.
13. Keywords
13.1 collapse; collapse index; collapse potential: com-
pressibility; consolidation; soil
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‘ws known otha ASTM Comme on Stanger, 100 Ba Harbor Drv, West Conshohocken, PA 8428.
1156LigemaTony THOMA COMOLETMITY TEST
ol me
FIG. 2 Typical Laboratory Data Sheet
111.2 Boring aumber, sample or tube number, sample
depth,
11.1.3 Initial moisture content and dry density
LLL Time versus temperature plot
ULLS Thermal conductivity, and
I1LU6 Physical description of sample including soil or
rock type. If rock, describe location and orientation of
apparent weakness planes, bedding planes, and any large
inclusions or inhomogeneities.
FIG, 3 Typical Experimental Test Results (Idealized Curve)
FIG. 4 Typical Experimental Test Results
12, Precision and Bias
12.1 Due to the nature of the soil or rock materials tested
by this test method it is either not feasible or too costly at his
time to produce multiple specimens that have uniform
physical properties. Any variation observed on the data is
just as likely to be due to specimen vanation as to operator
ior laboratory testing variation. Data obtained from tests on
‘materials with known thermal conductivity indicate that
precision of 5 to 10°% can be achieved. Subcommittee
18.12 welcomes proposals that would allow for develop-
ment of a valid pfecision statement. There is no accepted
reference value of soil or rock for this test method, therefore,
bias cannot be determined.
13. Keywords
13.1 heat flow: temperature: thermal conductivity;
thermal probe: thermal properties
uso
”hole to a depth equal to the length of the needle,
6.1.7 Thermal Grease—A:% thermally conductive grease
with A > 30 Wye"
6.1.3 Thermal Epoxy—Any thermally conductive epoxy
with <> 50 W/mK,
6.1.9 Calibration Standard—A matevai vith known
thermal sonductivity (1)pically fused silica, «X= 134
w LOC is used). Tie vauiorution standard saail %e
the shape of a cylinder. The diameter of the cylinder shail
bbe at east 40 mm and the fength shall be at least 10 cm
‘onger than the xe-le robe, + sale chall be 4e"led alone
the axis of the cylinder to a depth equal ‘0 the length of the
probe. The diameter of the hole shall be equal to the
diameter of the proce so that che probe fits tightly into the
bole.
7. Sample Preparation
7.1 Undisiurbed Samples
7.1.1 Thin Wall Tube or Drive Samples—Cut a 200 =
‘mm (8.0 = 1 in.) long section of a sampling tube containing,
an undisturbed soil sample. The tube section should have a
minimum diameter of $1 mm (2.0 in).
7.1.2 Weigh the sample in a sampling tube or brass rings.
7.1.3 Insert the thermal needle probe into the sample by
either pushing the probe into a predrilled hole (dense sample)
to 2 depth equal to the length of the probe or pushing the
probe into the sample (loose sample). Care should be taken,
to ensure that the thermal probe shaft is fully enbedded in
the sample and not left partially exposed. (See Note 1.)
Nove {To provide beter thermal contact between the sample and
the probe, the probe may be coated with a thin layer of thermal seas.
If a hole is prediled for the needle probe, the diameter of the hole
shouldbe siphtly less an the diameter of the needle probe to ensue &
tight ft. A device, such asa drill pres, shall be used 10 inser the probe
to ensue that the probe is nsereed vertically and that a0 void spaces are
formed between the specimen and the probe,
7.2 Remolded Samples
7.2.1 Compact sample to desired density and water con-
teat (in. a thin-walled metal or plastic tube) using an
appropriate compaction technique. For further guidance on
the effect of the various compaction techniques on thermal
conductivity the reader is referred to Mitchell etal. (1) The
tube should have a minimum diameter of $1 mm (2.0 in.)
and a length of 200 + 30 mm (8.0 | in).
7.22 Perform 7.1.2 and 7.1.3.
7.3 Soft Rock Samples—Insert the thermal needle probe
into the sample by predrilling a hole to a depth equal to the
length of the probe. (See Note |.)
8. Calibration
8.1 The thermal needle probe apparatus should be cali-
brated before its use. Perform calibration by comparing the
experimental determination of the thermal conductivity of a
standard material to its known value,
8.2 Conduct the test specified in Section 7 using a
calibration standard as specified in 6.1.9.
8.3 The measured thermal conductivity of the calibration
specimen must agree within one standard deviation of the
published value of thermai conductivity, oF 8:5 “he ue og
thermal conductivity determined by an :ndependent
method
9. Procedure
9.1 allow sample to come to equilibrium ‘ith coo
temoeratute
9.2 Connect the heater sire of the thermal 2obe :0 che
constant current source. (See Fig. 1.)
9.3 Connect the temperature measuring element lends -p
se readout unit,
3.4 Apply a known constant current (for example, equal
to 1.0 A) to the heater wire such that the temperature chanze
is less than 10°K in 1000,
9.S Record the readings at 0. $. 10, 1S. 30, 23, and 60s,
then take readings at 30 s time intervals for a minimum of
1000 s. A typical data sheet and a typical record of data are
showa in Figs. 2 and 3 respectively.
9.6 Turn off constant current source,
9.7 Select linear portion of curve (pseudo steady state
portion) and draw a straight line through the points,
9.8 Select times ¢, and /, at appropriate points on the line
and read the corresponding temperatures T,, and T-
9.9 Remove soil ftom the thin wall tube or sampling
sings
9.10 Perform 2 moisture comtent test (see Test Method
D 2216) om a representative specimen of the sarapie.
9.11 Clean the thin wall tube or sampling rings and weigh.
10, Calculation
10.1 Compute the thermal conductivity (A) of the spec+
imen from the linear portion of the experimental curve
shown in Fig. 4 using the following relationship:
230
d= Losittyit = Lait) (0
iT, T) ann
where:
ER EL
Q= heat input =" _
10.2 Derivation of Eq (1} is presented by Carslaw and
Jaeger (2; and adapted to soils by VanRooven and
Winterkora (@); VanHerzen and Maxwell (4); and
Winterkorn (5),
11. Report
1.1 For each thermal conductivity test record, report the
following observations:
ULL.L Date of the test,
eenREFERENCES.
(1) Mitchel, 4. K.. Rus, T. Cand AbdelHadi, .N. "Gacksill 16¢—Fundamental and Practical Como
Matera for {-aderground Power Cpe” Decaniment of Civil
siversiy of California at Berkeley. EPRI 6
and Massel 8
° { Deep-Sea Sediments ~
resraie
June 1977. ced,” a er %
ie a eserruemamanenenitllin ena a
eel ee Sneed. Seon of Tet
cal and Resintity of Sul oy the Thermal Probe.” Spell Proceatres
eee ASTM STP
(9) Van Rooyen. M.. and Winterkowa. H. F. ~“Theore
Pracical Concepts of the Thermal Conduetsity of Soils and
Similar Granular Spsems.” Highwur 8
son Bneungerng Pr
ip 2270,
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