The effectiveness of two models to estimate the thermal conductivity of sands is reviewed. Haigh (2012) proposed an analytical model based on unidirectional heat flow through a three-phase soil element. Using a database of 155 test measurements, his model performed with similar effectiveness to the empirical model proposed by Chen (2008). The database used by Haigh (2012) depended largely on the measurements conducted by Chen (2008). Eighty of the 155 measurements were conducted on 4 high quartz content sands presented by Chen (2008). In this study thermal conductivity tests were conducted on 3 sands at dry and wet conditions. The effectiveness of the Haigh (2012) and Chen (2008) models are reviewed using the new dataset. Overall, both methods performed reasonably well and the conclusion of Haigh (2012) that his model out performed the empirical models was confirmed.
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