ASTM D4611-08

Standard Test Method for Specific Heat of Rock and Soil

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Specific heat is a basic thermodynamic property of all substances. The value of specific heat depends upon chemical composition and temperature. The rate of temperature diffusion through a material, thermal diffusivity, is a function of specific heat; therefore, specific heat is an essential property of rock and soil when these materials are used under conditions of unsteady or transient heat flow.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of instantaneous and mean specific heat of rock and soil.
1.2 This test method employs the classical method of mixtures. This provides procedures and apparatus simpler than those generally used in scientific calorimetry, an accuracy that is adequate for most rocks and soils, and a degree of precision that is reproducible by laboratory technicians of average skill. While this test method was developed for testing rock and soil, it is easily adaptable to measuring the specific heat of other materials.  
1.3 The testing procedure provides an instantaneous specific heat over the temperature 25 to 300°C or a mean specific heat in that temperature range.
1.4 The test procedure is limited to dry samples.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 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: 30-Jun-2008
• ICS: 93.020 - Earthworks. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground works
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.12 - Rock Mechanics

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4611-86(2004) - Standard Test Method for Specific Heat of Rock and Soil
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM D4611-16 - Standard Test Method for Specific Heat of Rock and Soil
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D4612-16 - Standard Test Method for Calculating Thermal Diffusivity of Rock and Soil
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7294-13(2021) - Standard Guide for Collecting Treatment Process Design Data at a Contaminated Site—A Site Contaminated with Chemicals of Interest
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2008

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:D4611 −08
StandardTest Method for
1
Specific Heat of Rock and Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4611; 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 D2766 Test Method for Specific Heat of Liquids and Solids
E230 Specification and Temperature-Electromotive Force
1.1 This test method covers the determination of instanta-
(EMF) Tables for Standardized Thermocouples
neous and mean specific heat of rock and soil.
E344 Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrom-
1.2 This test method employs the classical method of
etry
mixtures. This provides procedures and apparatus simpler than
those generally used in scientific calorimetry, an accuracy that
3. Terminology
is adequate for most rocks and soils, and a degree of precision
3.1 Definitions:
that is reproducible by laboratory technicians of average skill.
3.1.1 instantaneous specific heat—the rate of change of
While this test method was developed for testing rock and soil,
sample enthalpy, h, per unit mass with respect to temperature,
it is easily adaptable to measuring the specific heat of other
T, at constant pressure, p,
materials.
c 5 δh/δT (1)
~ !
1.3 Thetestingprocedureprovidesaninstantaneousspecific p
p
heat over the temperature 25 to 300°C or a mean specific heat
3.1.2 mean specific heat—the quantity of heat required to
in that temperature range.
change the temperature of a unit mass of a substance one
degree, measured as the average quantity over the temperature
1.4 The test procedure is limited to dry samples.
range specified. (It is distinguished from true specific heat by
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
being an average rather than a point value. The unit of
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
measurement is joule per kilogram kelvin, J/kgK).
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-
tion only and are not considered standard. 3.1.3 thermal capacity—the amount of heat necessary to
change the temperature of the body one degree. For a homo-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
geneous body, it is the product of mass and specific heat. For
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
a nonhomogeneous body, it is the sum of the products of mass
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and specific heat of the individual constituents. Thermal
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
capacity has the units of joule per kelvin, J/K.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.4 thermal diffusivity—the ratio of thermal conductivity
2. Referenced Documents
of a substance to the product of its density and specific heat.
2
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Common unit for this property is m /s.
C303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Pre-
3.2 Symbols:
formed Block and Board–Type Thermal Insulation
3.2.1 ∆H—enthalpy change (J/kg).
C351 Test Method for Mean Specific Heat of Thermal
3
Insulation (Withdrawn 2008) 3.2.2 mc —thermal capacity (J/K).
p
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
3.2.3 T —final temperature of the mixture obtained by
m
extrapolation (K).
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
3.2.4 T —temperature of the calorimeter immediately prior
c
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.12 on Rock Mechanics.
to drop obtained by extrapolation.
Current edition approved July 1, 2008. Published July 2008. Originally approved
in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D4611 – 86 (2004). DOI:
3.2.5 T —temperature of capsule and sample, capsule or
h
10.1520/D4611-08.
2
standard in the heater prior to drop (K).
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3.2.6 ∆T—temperature difference.
Standardsvolume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3.2.7 c¯ —mean specific heat (J/kgK).
p
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. 3.2.8 c —instantaneous specific heat (J/kgK).
p
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4611−08
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The method of mixtures consists essentially of adding a
known mass of material at a known temperature to a known
mass of calorimetric fluid at a known lower temperature and
determining the equilibrium temperature that results. The heat
absorbed by the fluid
...

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:D4611–86(Reapproved 2004) Designation: D 4611 – 08
Standard Test Method for
1
Specific Heat of Rock and Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4611; 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 covers the determination of instantaneous and mean specific heat of rock and soil.
1.2 This test method employs the classical method of mixtures. This provides procedures and apparatus simpler than those
generally used in scientific calorimetry, an accuracy that is adequate for most rocks and soils, and a degree of precision that is
reproducible by laboratory technicians of average skill. While this test method was developed for testing rock and soil, it is easily
adaptable to measuring the specific heat of other materials.
1.3 The testing procedure provides an instantaneous specific heat over the temperature 25 to 300°C or a mean specific heat in
that temperature range.
1.4 The test procedure is limited to dry samples.
1.5
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 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:
C303Test Method for Density of Preformed Block-Type Thermal Insulation 303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of
Preformed Block and BoardType Thermal Insulation
C 351 Test Method for Mean Specific Heat of Thermal Insulation
D 618Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials for Testing Practice for Conditioning Plastics for
Testing
D 2766 Test Method for Specific Heat of Liquids and Solids
E 230Temperature-Electromotive Force (EMF) Tables for Thermocouples Specification and Temperature-Electromotive Force
(EMF) Tables for Standardized Thermocouples
E 344 Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrometry
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 instantaneous specific heat—the rate of change of sample enthalpy, h, per unit mass with respect to temperature, T,at
constant pressure, p,
c 5 ~dh/dT!
p p
(1)
3.1.2 mean specific heat—the quantity of heat required to change the temperature of a unit mass of a substance one degree,
measured as the average quantity over the temperature range specified. (It is distinguished from true specific heat by being an
average rather than a point value. The unit of measurement is joule per kilogram Kélvin,kelvin, J/kgK).
3.1.3 thermal capacity—the amount of heat necessary to change the temperature of the body one degree. For a homogeneous
body, it is the product of mass and specific heat. For a nonhomogeneous body, it is the sum of the products of mass and specific
heat of the individual constituents. Thermal capacity has the units of joule per Kelvin,kelvin, J/K.
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 Nov. 1, 2004. Published December 2004. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D4611–86(2000).
Current edition approved July 1, 2008. Published July 2008. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D 4611 – 86 (2004).
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standardsvolume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4611–08
3.1.4 thermal diffusivity—the ratio of thermal conductivity of a substance to the product of its density and specific heat.
2
Common unit for this property is m /s.
3.2 Symbols:
3.2.1 DH—enthalpy change (J/kg).
3.2.2 mc — thermal capacity (J/K).
p
3.2.3 T — final temperature of the mixture obtained by extrapolation (K).
m
3.2.4 T — tem
...