TECHNICAL NOTES
Aug 7, 2009

Investigation of the Thermal Conductivity of Compacted Silts and Its Correlation to the Elastic Modulus

Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 22, Issue 4

Abstract

Thermal conductivity measurement is a quick and easy test for compacted soils. This study presents the results of thermal conductivity testing on silt compacted under standard and modified Proctor efforts. A comparison of moisture content measurements from both lab oven and field oven is also presented and discussed. Measured thermal conductivity was correlated to the bulk density and water content. It is further correlated to Young’s modulus and Shear modulus of the compacted silt, which were determined through ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements. Several trends were observed which may be used to correlate soil thermal conductivity of the compacted silt to compaction and elastic moduli for quality control/quality assurance of compacted soil.

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Acknowledgments

The financial support for this research work was provided by the Senator Bond Fund in Transportation Research through the Missouri Transportation Institute, and is gratefully acknowledged.

References

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Published In

Go to Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 22Issue 4April 2010
Pages: 408 - 412

History

Received: Dec 24, 2008
Accepted: Aug 5, 2009
Published online: Aug 7, 2009
Published in print: Apr 2010

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Authors

Affiliations

Robert D. Hotz [email protected]
Geotechnical Engineer, GeoEngineers Inc., 3050 S. Delaware, Springfield, MO 65804; formerly, Graduate Student, Dept. of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Missouri Univ. of Science and Technology, 1401 North Pine St., Rolla, MO 65409 (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Missouri Univ. of Science and Technology, 1401 North Pine St., Rolla, MO 65409. E-mail: [email protected]

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