Abstract
The article presents the methodology of conducting serial laboratory measurements of thermal conductivity of recompacted samples of cohesive and non-cohesive soils. The presented research procedure has been developed for the purpose of supplementing the Engineering–Geology Database and its part–Physical and Mechanical Properties of Soils and Rocks (abbr. BDGI-WFM) with a new component regarding thermal properties of soils. The data contained in BDGI-WFM are the basis for the development of maps and plans for the assessment of geothermal potential and support for the sustainable development of low enthalpy geothermal energy. Effective thermal conductivity of soils was studied at various levels of water saturation and various degrees of compaction. Cohesive soils were tested in initial moisture content and after drying to a constant mass. Non-cohesive soils were tested in initial moisture, fully saturated with water and after drying to a constant mass. Effective thermal conductivity of non-cohesive soils was determined on samples mechanically compacted to the literature values of bulk density. Basic physical parameters were determined for each of the samples. In total, 120 measurements of thermal conductivity were carried out, for the purposes of developing the guidelines which allowed statistical analysis of the results. The results were cross-checked with different measuring equipment and with the literature data.
Highlights
Thermal conductivity coefficient values of soil are useful in many subjects connected with energetics
The authors emphasize that the article contains only those results of thermal conductivity of soils that were obtained during the development of the methodology
After of performing a series measurements, geological the authors consider it necessary to prepare databases of thermal properties of soils in a regional and lithogenetic approach, which will be the subject of future research
Summary
Thermal conductivity coefficient values of soil are useful in many subjects connected with energetics. Recognition of soil’s thermal properties and parameters is essential when it comes to proper designing and building installations that use geothermal heat for energetics purposes, e.g., ground source heat pumps, [1,2,3]. At the same time, incorporating into the buildings thermally active construction elements that use thermal potential of a soil–rock medium and exchange heat between the ground and building is getting more and more popular. Few examples of those constructions are thermoactive foundations, foundation piles or tunnel walls [4,5,6]. Thermal properties of soil play key role in determining possibilities of heat transfer in case of underground transmission infrastructure like high-voltage cables or district heating systems [7] as well as in terms of radioactive waste storage [8]
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