Thermal Conductivity of Some Ice-rich Permafrost Soils

• Published in: Canadian Geotechnical Journal
• Main Authors: Slusarchuk, W. A., Watson, G. H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1975
• Subjects: Canada; Inuvik; Northwest Territories; Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/t75-045; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/t75-045

Values are presented for the thermal conductivity of frozen and thawed ice rich permafrost soils from Inuvik, Northwest Territories, measured under field and laboratory conditions with a cylindrical heat source. Samples were shipped to Ottawa, Canada, in the frozen condition at temperatures ranging from –5 to –70 °C. It was found that temperature of shipping and repositioning of the probe between measurements had no statistically significant effect on results. The dependence of thermal conductivity on bulk unit weight and dry unit weight is given for both frozen and thawed samples. Measured thermal conductivities were found to be in good agreement with other values obtained for similar soils and corresponding unit weight and water content.