Thermal Resistivity Testing
Basalt Ridge offers thermal resistivity testing of soil, sand, granular materials, concrete, FTB, grout, brick, plastic, gel, paste, adhesives, construction materials, and solid insulation.
Thermal Resistivity (Rho) Testing—Thermal Dryout Curve
Basalt Ridge Testing Laboratory is well-equipped to characterize the thermal resistivity of many materials, including soil, concrete, and FTB. Our recommended thermal resistivity testing package for materials utilized for underground power transmission installations is the thermal dryout curve which characterizes the thermal resistivity (rho) vs. water content relationship in porous media (soil, concrete, FTB, etc.). The thermal dryout curve analysis is essential for reliable and optimal design of underground power transmission installations.
All Basalt Ridge Testing Laboratory LLC thermal dryout curves conform to either ASTM D5334 or IEEE 442 standards for characterization of thermal resistivity. At Basalt Ridge Testing Laboratory LLC, our testing methodology is transparent, and all test data are provided to our clients. We use the well-accepted combination method which is the culmination of over 35 years of thermal properties research and testing. Our thermal dryout curves are the most accurate in the industry, and we provide the data to back up that claim. You can absolutely rely on our testing for you or your clients to design optimal installations.
At Basalt Ridge Testing Laboratory LLC, we understand that your clients always want results yesterday, which is why our services are the fastest in the industry. However, proper thermal dryout curve generation does require that samples be wet up and dried down, which can be slow processes, depending on sample type. A typical six inch long Shelby tube soil sample requires approximately five days from the start of the process to produce the full thermal dryout curve. Samples in plastic sleeves will take significantly longer. A thermal dryout curve on a standard 4” X 8” concrete sample requires approximately seven days to complete. Samples are tested as quickly as possible in the order they are received unless an expedite is requested. We guarantee that processing of expedited samples is begun by the day following sample receipt (generally day-of receipt).
See the Thermal Dryout Curve Report for an example of the standard report delivered in the time frame outlined above. Custom report formatting is available upon request.
See sample collection and shipping for instructions on collecting and shipping samples to Basalt Ridge Testing Laboratory.
-
Soil, sand, granular materials, concrete, FTB, grout, brick, plastic, gel, paste, adhesives, construction materials, and solid insulation.
-
17 C cm/W to 5000 C cm/W
-
0°C to 150°C
-
ASTM D5334 & IEEE 442
Basic Thermal Resistivity (Rho) Testing
We always recommend that a thermal dryout curve be generated on materials utilized for underground power transmission installations. But, we can perform simple thermal resistivity characterization of samples at the as-received water content upon request. All Basalt Ridge Testing Laboratory LLC thermal resistivity testing conforms to either ASTM D5334 or IEEE 442 standards for characterization of thermal resistivity. The report for simple thermal resistivity test includes the measured water content and dry bulk density (unit weight) of the sample.
Custom Thermal Resistivity Testing
Basalt Ridge Testing Laboratory LLC has the ability to test thermal properties of many different materials, using a variety of techniques. If you have a thermal properties characterization problem and you need help solving it, contact us and we’ll see if we can help.
Thermal Resistivity Testing FAQ
-
Thermal resistivity, rho, describes the insulating ability of a material. Thermal resistivity is the reciprocal of thermal conductivity.
-
Thermal resistivity testing of soil and concrete materials using ASTM D5334 or IEEE 442 standards require a minimum sample size of 11cm in length and 5cm in diameter.
For disturbed soil samples, a gallon bag of material is plenty.
Fluid samples only require 200 mL.
-
Basic thermal resistivity testing is quick, so we generally have results back to you in 2-3 days.
Thermal resistivity testing with the full thermal dryout curve (our most common thermal resistivity test) generally takes 5 working days for soil and 7 days for concrete.
Proper thermal dryout curve generation does require time to complete as the sample must be wet up and dried down to characterize the thermal resistivity across the full water content range.
-
Yes, we provide thermal resistivity testing of bulk samples of disturbed soil. However, the desired bulk density (unit weight) for testing must be provided.
-
ASTM D5334 and IEEE 442 standards.
We recommend ASTM D5334 because the standard allows for modern analysis techniques that are more robust and accurate. However, many power engineers still require IEEE 442, so we can provide strict conformance to this standard as well.
“Thank you for getting the thermal resistivity testing completed for us smoothly and quickly. I am impressed with how fast you got the testing completed and the results returned to us.”
-Tom G.