(Issued 1 June 1963) C 44

CRD-C 44-63

METHOD FOR CALCULATION OF THERMAL

CONDUCTIVITY OF CONCRETE

Scope k=

1. This method is suitable for where:

calculating the thermal conductivity k = thermal conductivity, Btu/ft-hr-
of concrete from results of tests for deg F,
diffusivity and specific heat. = t h e r m a l d i f f u s i v i t y , f t2 / h r ,
C = v o l u m e t r i c h e a t c a p a c i t y , B t u / f t3 -
Calculation deg F.

2. (a) The thermal conductivity of The thermal diffusivity shall be

concrete shall be calculated from the determined using method of test for
following equation: thermal diffusivity of lightweight
concrete and similar materials. A
k= curve shall be made of diffusivity
versus moisture content for the
where: range used. The volumetric heat
k = thermal conductivity, Btu/ft-hr- capacity shall be calculated from the
deg F, following equation:
= t h e r m a l d i f f u s i v i t y , f t2 / h r ,
s = specific heat, Btu/lb-deg F ,
W = a c t u a l u n i t w e i g h t , l b / f t3 .

The thermal diffusivity of concrete where:

shall be determined using either C = v o l u m e t r i c h e a t c a p a c i t y , B t u / f t3 -
Method CRD-C 36 or CRD-C 37. The deg F,
specific heat of the concrete shall be = d r y u n i t w e i g h t , l b / f t3 ,
determined according to the proce- c1 = specific heat of dry sample,
dure of Method CRD-C 124. The unit w = m o i s t u r e content, percent dry
weight of concrete shall be deter- weight.
mined using the procedures of Meth-
od CRD-C 7. The specific heat of material re-
(b) The thermal conductivity of moved from diffusivity specimen
lightweight concrete and similar ma- shall be determined according to the
terials at various moisture contents procedure of Method CRD-C 242.
shall be calculated from the following
e q u a t i o n :1 Report

3. The calculated value for ther-

1 P r o c e d u r e based on paper: “Tests for Thermal mal conductivity shall be reported to
Diffusivity of Granular Materials” by William L. Shannon
and Winthrop A. Wells, published in P r o c e e d i n g s of the two decimal places, e.g., k = 1.35
American Society for Testing Materials, Vol 47, 1947. Btu/ft-hr-deg F.