Effect of clay content on the thermal conductivity of unfrozen and frozen sandy soils

Thermal conductivities of five sandy soils subjected to freezing-thawing and drying-wetting cycles were determined. Specimens were prepared at five different clay contents of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20% prior to compaction at the Proctor maximum dry density. Soil specimens were saturated prior to freezing-thawing and drying-wetting experiments. During a freezing-thawing cycle, soil's thermal conductivity and unfrozen water content were measured at different temperatures ranging from -3 °C to 0 °C. During a drying-wetting cycle, soil's thermal conductivity was measured at different water contents. The experimental results were then compared with predictions by two of the most appropriate existing models, namely De Vries's and Johansen's models, in order to provide insights into the effects of clay content on soil thermal conductivity at (saturated and unsaturated) unfrozen and frozen states.