DETERMINATION OF THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY FOR ADOBE (CLAY SOIL) MIXED WITH DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS OF QUARTZ (SHARP SAND)

Abstract [English]

This research investigated the thermal conductivity of Adobe mixed with Quartz in view of their availability usage as building materials. The thermal conductivities of disc made from Adobe-Quartz chippings were determined. The values of the thermal conductivities obtained were between 0.6Wm-1k-1and 0.9Wm-1k-1, these values could be used to identify Adobe/Quartz as one of the engineering materials used in building construction. Adobe/Quartz was prepared in discs form of the same diameters and thicknesses and was also compressed under the same pressure of 15 atmospheres (100: 0, 95: 5and 80: 20). The average values of the thermal conductivities were between 0.07Wm-1Ҡ-1 and 0.93Wm-1Ҡ-1, for sample contained the proportion of (80:20) and the sample of ratio (95:5). MATLAB 7.0 and EXCEL software were used in the various computations, especially in determining dT/dt, Root mean square error (RMSE), Curve fittings parameter and the correlation coefficient, R2. An average correlation coefficient of 0.78 was existed between Adobe-Quartz ratio and thermal conductivity. The equation, y = -0.11x2 + 0.01x + 1.03 is the general equation that can be used for the prediction of average thermal conductivity at various ratios. Where y is the average thermal conductivity and x here signifies the ratios. This also indicates that compacted Adobe-Quartz of low density will be a suitable thermal insulator when used as aggregates in walls.