ASTM D5334-22

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The thermal conductivity of intact soil specimens, reconstituted soil specimens, and rock specimens is used to analyze and design systems involving underground transmission lines, oil and gas pipelines, radioactive waste disposal, geothermal applications, and solar thermal storage facilities, among others. Measurements can be made on site (in situ), or samples can be tested in a lab environment.
Note 2: 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 rock using a transient heat method. This test method is applicable for both intact specimens of soil and rock and reconstituted soil specimens, and is effective in the lab and in the field. This test method is most suitable for homogeneous materials, but can also give a representative average value for non-homogeneous materials.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to dry, unsaturated or saturated materials that can sustain a hole for the sensor. It is valid 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 near 0°C or 100°C.  
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. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with 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 procedures 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.
Note 1: This test method is also applicable and commonly used for determining thermal conductivity of a variety of engineered porous materials of geologic origin including concrete, Fluidized Thermal Backfill (FTB), and thermal grout.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2021
• 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 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Soil and Rock by
1
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
NOTE 1—This test method is also applicable and commonly used for
the thermal conductivity (λ) of soil and rock using a transient
determining thermal conductivity of a variety of engineered porous
heat method. This test method is applicable for both intact
materials of geologic origin including concrete, Fluidized Thermal Back-
specimens of soil and rock and reconstituted soil specimens, fill (FTB), and thermal grout.
and is effective in the lab and in the field. This test method is
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
most suitable for homogeneous materials, but can also give a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
representative average value for non-homogeneous materials.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.2 This test method is applicable to dry, unsaturated or
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
saturated materials that can sustain a hole for the sensor. It is
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
validovertemperaturesrangingfrom<0to>100°C,depending
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
on the suitability of the thermal needle probe construction to
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
temperature extremes. However, care must be taken to prevent
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
significanterrorfrom: (1)redistributionofwaterduetothermal
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
gradients resulting from heating of the needle probe; (2)
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
redistribution of water due to hydraulic gradients (gravity
drainage for high degrees of saturation or surface evaporation);
2. Referenced Documents
(3) phase change of water in specimens with temperatures near
2
0°C or 100°C.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
Fluids
asthestandard.Nootherunitsofmeasurementsareincludedin
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
this standard. Reporting of test results in units other than SI
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
Practice D6026.
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
1.4.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
Construction Materials Testing
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re-
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
cords in Geotechnical Data
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
3. Terminology
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of common technical terms
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
used in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
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
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2022. Published January 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D5334 – 14. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5334-22. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright ©
...

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 − 14 D5334 − 22
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 intact and specimens of soil and rock and reconstituted soil specimens and soft
rock specimens. specimens, and is effective in the lab and in the field. This test method is most suitable only for homogeneous
for homogeneous materials, but can also give a representative average value for non-homogeneous materials.
1.2 This test method is applicable to dry dry, unsaturated or unsaturated materials saturated materials that can sustain a hole for
the sensor. It is valid over temperatures ranging from <0 to >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 <0°C
or >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.near 0°C or 100°C.
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. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with 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 procedureprocedures 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.
NOTE 1—This test method is also applicable and commonly used for determining thermal conductivity of a variety of engineered porous materials of
geologic origin including concrete, Fluidized Thermal Backfill (FTB), and thermal grout.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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 June 1, 2014Jan. 1, 2022. Published July 2014January 2022. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20082014 as
D5334 – 08.D5334 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/D5334-0814.10.1520/D5334-22.
*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 − 22
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D2216 Test Meth
...