Experimental study on thermal conductivity measurement of wet unconsolidated porous media

Thermal conductivity of unconsolidated porous media with various moisture contents,which was act as by sands,has been measured and studied by a thermal constant analyzer(Hot Disk TPS 2500).The result indicated that thermal conductivity of unsaturated wet unconsolidated porous media increased with the moisture content increasing.Study also showed that the real thermal conductivity was quite difficult to be obtained with low moisture content(less than 25% void space).The main reason is that the water in the sensor adjacent region evaporated due to heating by the sensor.As a result,the properties of this region could not keep invariable,and caused the testing condition varying during the whole measuring period.