ASTM D5334-14

Standard Test Method for Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Soil and Soft Rock by Thermal Needle Probe Procedure

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The thermal conductivity of both intact and reconstituted soil specimens as well as soft rock specimens is used to analyze and design systems used, for example, in underground transmission lines, oil and gas pipelines, radioactive waste disposal, geothermal applications, and solar thermal storage facilities.
Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method presents a procedure for determining the thermal conductivity (λ) of soil and soft rock using a transient heat method. This test method is applicable for both intact and reconstituted soil specimens and soft rock specimens. This test method is suitable only for homogeneous materials.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to dry or unsaturated materials over temperatures ranging from 100°C, depending on the suitability of the thermal needle probe construction to temperature extremes. However, care must be taken to prevent significant error from: (1) redistribution of water due to thermal gradients resulting from heating of the needle probe; (2) redistribution of water due to hydraulic gradients (gravity drainage for high degrees of saturation or surface evaporation); (3) phase change of water in specimens with temperatures 100°C. These errors can be minimized by adding less total heat to the specimen through either minimizing power applied to the needle probe and/or minimizing the heating duration of the measurement.  
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurements are included in this standard.  
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.  
1.4.1 The procedure used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analytical methods for engineering design.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2014
• ICS: 13.080.20 - Physical properties of soils
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.12 - Rock Mechanics

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D5334 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Soil and Soft
1
Rock by Thermal Needle Probe Procedure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5334; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* of this standard to consider significant digits used in analytical
methods for engineering design.
1.1 This test method presents a procedure for determining
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the thermal conductivity (λ) of soil and soft rock using a
transient heat method. This test method is applicable for both safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
intact and reconstituted soil specimens and soft rock speci-
mens. This test method is suitable only for homogeneous priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
materials.
1.2 This test method is applicable to dry or unsaturated
2. Referenced Documents
materials over temperatures ranging from <0 to >100°C,
2
depending on the suitability of the thermal needle probe
2.1 ASTM Standards:
construction to temperature extremes. However, care must be D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
taken to prevent significant error from: (1) redistribution of
Fluids
water due to thermal gradients resulting from heating of the D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
needle probe; (2) redistribution of water due to hydraulic
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
gradients (gravity drainage for high degrees of saturation or D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
surface evaporation); (3) phase change of water in specimens
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
with temperatures <0°C or >100°C. These errors can be Used in Engineering Design and Construction
minimized by adding less total heat to the specimen through
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
either minimizing power applied to the needle probe and/or D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
minimizing the heating duration of the measurement. ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
Construction Materials Testing
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
asthestandard.Nootherunitsofmeasurementsareincludedin
Data
this standard.
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
3. Terminology
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of common technical terms,
Practice D6026.
refer to Terminology standards D653 and D4439.
1.4.1 The procedure used to specify how data are collected/
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
3.2.1 heat input, n—power consumption of heater wire in
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
watts per unit length that is assumed to be the equivalent of
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
heat output per unit length of wire.
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
3.2.2 thermal epoxy, n—any heat conductive resin material
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
having a value of λ > 4 W/(m·K).
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
3.2.3 thermal grease, n—any heat conductive lubricating
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
material having a value of λ > 4 W/(m·K).
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
2
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.12 on Rock Mechanics. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2014.PublishedJuly2014.Originallyapproved contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D5334 – 08. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D5334-0814. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D5334 − 14
4. Summary of Test Method 7.1.1 Thin-Walled Tube or Drive Specimens—Cut a 200 6
30-mmlongsectionofasamplingtubecontaininganintactsoi
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5334 − 08 D5334 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Soil and Soft
1
Rock by Thermal Needle Probe Procedure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5334; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method presents a procedure for determining the thermal conductivity (λ) of soil and soft rock using a transient
heat method. This test method is applicable for both undisturbedintact and remoldedreconstituted soil specimens and soft rock
specimens. This test method is suitable only for isotropichomogeneous materials.
1.2 This test method is applicable to dry or unsaturated materials over a wide temperature range temperatures ranging from <0
to >100°C, depending on the suitability of the thermal needle probe construction to temperature extremes. This method may also
be used for specimens containing moisture. However, care must be taken to prevent significant error from: (1) redistribution of
water due to thermal gradients resulting from heating of the needle probe, and probe; (2) redistribution of water due to hydraulic
gradients (gravity drainage for high degrees of saturation or surface evaporation); (3) phase change (melting) of icewater in
specimens with temperatures <0°C. Both of these<0°C or >100°C. These errors can be minimized by adding less total heat to the
specimen either through either minimizing power applied to the needle probe and/or minimizing the heating duration of the
measurement.
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.
1.4 It is not practicable in a test method of this type to aim to establish details of construction and procedure to cover all
contingencies that might offer difficulties to a 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.
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
information only.No other units of measurements are included in this standard.
1.4 All measuredobserved and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established
Inin Practice D6026.
1.4.1 The procedure used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry
standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not
consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives;
and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations.
It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analytical methods for engineering design.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.12 on Rock Mechanics.
Current edition approved July 1, 2008June 1, 2014. Published July 2008July 2014. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20052008 as
D5334 – 05.D5334 – 08. DOI: 10.1520/D5334-08.10.1520/D5334-0814.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contac
...