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

Abstract

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.