Specific Heat and Volumetric Heat Capacity of Granular Materials as Affected by Moisture and Density

Abstract

The granular materials examined in this study were some Saudian soils. The effect of water content and bulk density on the specific heat and volumetric heat capacity of two Saudian soils (sand and loam) was investigated through laboratory studies. These laboratory experiments used the calorimetric method to determine specific heat of soils. For the type of soils studied, specific heat increased with increased moisture content. Also, volumetric heat capacity increased with increased moisture content and soil density. The volumetric heat capacity and specific heat of soils observed were compared with independent estimates made using derived theoretical relations. The differences between the observed and predicted results were very small. Loam soil generally had higher specific heat and volumetric heat capacity than sandy soil for the same moisture content and soil density.