ASTM D4612-16
Standard Test Method for Calculating Thermal Diffusivity of Rock and Soil

Standard No.

ASTM D4612-16

Release Date

2016

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM D4612-16

Scope

5.1 The thermal diffusivity is a parameter that arises in the solution of transient heat conduction problems. It generally characterizes the rate at which a heat pulse will diffuse through a solid material.

5.2 The number of parameters required for solution of a transient heat conduction problem depends on both the geometry and imposed boundary conditions. In a few special cases, only the thermal diffusivity of the material is required. In most cases, separate values of k, ρ, and c_p are required in addition to α. This test method provides a consistent set of parameters for numerical or analytical heat conduction calculations related to heat transport through rocks.

5.3 In order to use this test method for determination of the thermal diffusivity, the parameters (k, ρ, c_p) must be determined under as near identical specimen conditions as possible.

5.4 The diffusivity determined by this test method can only be used to analyze heat transport in rock under thermal conditions identical to those existing for the k, ρ, and c_p measurements.

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/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.

1.1 This test method involves calculation of the thermal diffusivity from measured values of the mass density, thermal conductivity, and specific heat at constant pressure. It is applicable for any materials where these data can be determined. The temperature range covered by this test method is 293 to 573 K. This test method is closely linked to the overall test procedure used in obtaining the primary data on density, specific heat, and thermal conductivity. It cannot be used as a “stand alone” test method because the thermal diffusivity values calculated by this test method are dependent on the nature of the primary data base. The test method furnishes general g......

ASTM D4612-16 Referenced Document

• ASTM C177 Standard Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measurements and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
• ASTM C518 Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
• ASTM C642 Standard Test Method for Density, Absorption, and Voids in Hardened Concrete
• ASTM D2216 Standard Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
• ASTM D3740 Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• ASTM D4611 Standard Test Method for Specific Heat of Rock and Soil
• ASTM D4753 Standard Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction Materials Testing
• ASTM D5334 Standard Test Method for Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Soil and Rock by Thermal Needle Probe Procedure
• ASTM D6026 Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
• ASTM D653 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
• ASTM E145 Standard Specification for Gravity-Convection And Forced-Ventilation Ovens

ASTM D4612-16 history

• 2016 ASTM D4612-16 Standard Test Method for Calculating Thermal Diffusivity of Rock and Soil
• 2008 ASTM D4612-08 Standard Practice for Calculating Thermal Diffusivity of Rocks
• 2003 ASTM D4612-03 Standard Practice for Calculating Thermal Diffusivity of Rocks
• 1986 ASTM D4612-86(1996) Standard Practice for Calculating Thermal Diffusivity of Rocks