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Errors of Dual Thermal Probes Due to Soil Heterogeneity across a Plane Interface
Author(s) -
Philip J. R.,
Kluitenberg G. J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1999.6361579x
Subject(s) - thermal diffusivity , soil water , classification of discontinuities , water content , soil science , thermal conductivity , thermal , environmental science , plane (geometry) , materials science , geology , meteorology , geotechnical engineering , thermodynamics , geometry , physics , composite material , mathematics , mathematical analysis
The dual thermal probe enables estimation of the thermal diffusivity, volumetric heat capacity ( C ), and thermal conductivity of soils. It has been much employed for moisture estimation because of the strong dependence of C on soil water content. The present study investigates the effectiveness of dual probes near heterogeneities. Exact solutions are found for four probe/soil configurations involving heterogeneity. In one configuration the heating probe is on the plane interface between different soils. For the three other configurations it is located close to three different discontinuities: near a soil surface and outside, and behind, a wetting front. Heterogeneity errors are found to be small provided the heterogeneity is no closer to the probes than probe separation (typically 0.006 m). Estimates of C may provide good resolution of soil water content in critical regions such as near surfaces and fronts.