TECHNICAL PAPERS
Feb 1, 1991

Dielectric Method for Prediction of Porosity of Saturated Soil

Publication: Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 117, Issue 2

Abstract

The electromagnetic theory of Maxwell‐Fricke for the electrical conduction through heterogeneous media is extended to develop a theoretical relationship for fluid‐saturated porous media, accounting for the orientation of particles, the porosity and the dielectric constants of the pore fluid, the solid phase and the mixture. Based on this relationship, it is shown that a knowledge of the dielectric constants of saturated soils in the horizontal and vertical directions at high frequencies around 50 MHz provides the necessary data for the evaluation of the porosity for most soils when the dielectric constants of the particle and the solution are known. The method provides a rapid means for laboratory evaluation of the porosity of any saturated soil. It may also be adopted to in situ evaluations of the porosity of any saturated soil.

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References

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Arulanandan, K., and Arulanandan, S. (1985). “Dielectric methods and apparatus for in situ prediction of porosity, specific surface area (i.e., soil type) and for detection of hydrocarbon, hazardous waste materials, and the degree of melting ice to predict in situ stress‐strain behavior.” Patent Application Serial No. 709,592, Regents of Univ. of California.
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Go to Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 117Issue 2February 1991
Pages: 319 - 330

History

Published online: Feb 1, 1991
Published in print: Feb 1, 1991

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K. Arulanandan, Member, ASCE
Prof. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of California, Davis, CA 95616

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