Methods and results of experimental researches of thermal conductivity of soils

To meet the challenges of earth sheltered and green roof buildings, application of the heat pumps that use the heat of soil it is necessary to have the thermo physical characteristics of the soils. The studies in this field are extremely insufficient. The purposes of this research are to research the thermo physical characteristics of different soil types and to develop methods for the soils thermal conductivity determination. The paper sets out the methodology of experimental studies of soils thermal conductivity. The analytical dependence for the heat conductivity coefficient determination for different types (sand, clay and loam) and humidity of soil is obtained. The dependence can be used for thermal-technical calculations of earth sheltered buildings.