Semiempirical Correlation between P‐Wave Velocity and Thermal Conductivity of Frozen Silty Clay Soil

Abstract

In this study, the thermal conductivity and P-wave velocity of silty clay soil with different water contents are investigated through experiments at different temperatures, and a theoretical correlation between thermal conductivity and wave velocity is established. With temperature decline, the unfrozen water content is reduced and frost heave cracks propagate in soil samples. The variations in thermal conductivity and P-wave velocity are summarized as four phases. The freezing temperature of silty clay soil is between −2°C and −4°C. There is an inversely proportional relationship between thermal conductivity and P-wave velocity for silty clay soil at temperatures below freezing. The experimental results show that the theoretical correlation can well explain the relationship between P-wave velocity and thermal conductivity. These findings provide a possibility for determining the thermal conductivity easily and quickly in geothermal systems and underground engineering projects.

Thermal Conductivity and Shear Strength in Root-Reinforced Silty Clay: An Analysis of Asteraceae Plants from Taihang Mountain

“…(5) According to the calculation formulas of water content and dry density, the amount of water required for reshaping the soil and the dry soil mass were calculated; based on the preset water content, a water sprayer was used to spray water on the soil samples uniformly, then the soil samples were stirred evenly, sealed, and placed in a soil container to stand for more than 24 hours before use; (6) The prepared soil samples and plant roots were divided into 4 equal parts, after soil was filled into a split-spoon cylinder molding machine for 1/3, plant roots were added vertically into the machine according to the root content in test plan, then soil was again filled into the machine until it's full;…”

“…Its favoured status in foundational constructs, subterranean tunnels, and soil barriers underscores its pivotal role [1,2]. However, the intricate internal structure and variegated pore distribution have rendered the accurate prediction of its thermal conductivity and thermal stress behaviour formidable [3][4][5][6].…”