RHO Related PDF
RHO Related PDF
Appendix K
of NS130
Testing Of Backfills: Thermal Resistivity
CONTENTS
1
Background...................................................................................................................................... 1
Scope ............................................................................................................................................... 2
Equipment........................................................................................................................................ 4
9.2
Flowable Samples...................................................................................................................... 5
9.3
10
Storage of Samples.................................................................................................................... 6
11
12
13
14
15
Confidentiality............................................................................................................................. 8
16
Typical Equipment...................................................................................................................... 9
BACKGROUND
Ausgrid has a high capital investment in underground cables.
The ratings of these buried cables are greatly affected by the thermal properties of the
surrounding soils and imported thermal bedding materials.
Thermal resistivity (TR) is a major input parameter into cable rating calculations and a
thorough understanding of the resulting values during construction is vital to ensure the
specified cable ratings are achievable over the lifetime of installed assets.
Ausgrid wishes to ensure that the TR testing services being offered by external service
providers are accurate and consistent, providing test results that can be relied on for its
determination of cable ratings.
This document has been developed with the intent that the quality of TR testing being offered
by external service providers is of a standard compatible with Ausgrid's requirements.
Information is included to assist Testing Laboratories experienced in soil analysis but not
thermal studies to understand the basis for the requirements and procedures specified.
4 * * (T 2 T 1)
2.303 * q * log(t 2 t1)
Where:
T1 and
T2
t1 and
t2
The qualifying factors that apply to the above expression should be noted as:
Thermal probes are not line heat sources and have physical diameters and wall thickness. The
resulting mass and specific volumetric heat of the probes causes non linear relationships
between temperature and log (time differences) at the initialisation of tests.
Appendix K of NS130
September 2009
SCOPE
The scope of this document covers information relating to the necessary processes for
ensuring that testing of thermally stable materials or soil samples is conducted in a manner
that provides accurate and consistent results regardless of the Testing Laboratory undertaking
the tests. In particular, the document includes information on :
Sample Preparation
Storage of Samples
The density of native soils may not always be required. When commencing work on projects
the Testing Laboratory should confirm that Ausgrid requires native soil density results.
For compacted granular thermal bedding materials (including graded sands) submitted for
approval or routine testing:
Dry Density
Appendix K of NS130
September 2009
For flowable thermal bedding materials submitted for approval or routine testing:
Dry Density
Where the material is being submitted for approval (type testing), a dry out curve may also be
required, recording moisture content and thermal resistivity at; zero moisture content, initial
moisture content and at least two points in between. The initial moisture content shall be not
less than 8%.
For compacted granular materials, the minimum Proctor density of samples shall be specified
by Ausgrid. If not specified, the value shall be 98% Standard Proctor density. For material
submitted for approval (type testing) the fully dried out TR shall also be determined at 95% and
90% standard Proctor density.
Sieve analysis may also be required When instigating projects the Testing Laboratory should
confirm that Ausgrid requires sieve analysis results.
AS 1289 2.1.1-1992: Method of Testing Soils for Engineering Purposes Soil moisture
content tests
AS 1289 1.1.1-2001: Method of Testing Soils for Engineering Purposes Sampling and
preparation of soils.
Appendix K of NS130
September 2009
Moisture migration within the sample under test due to the heat from thermal needles
can affect the rates of temperature rise.
Non stable sample temperatures affect the flow of heat generated by the probe.
Poor probe surface contact resistance with the surrounding aggregates can influence
results due to situations such as: aggregate size, compaction, cracked samples or
incorrectly installed thermal needles
Poorly prepared samples where in the case of compacted granular materials the density
of the material is inconsistent with the expected density
For these reasons when assessing the resulting values (or more fundamentally, the time
periods over which analysis is to occur) a visual representation of the temperature/log time
output must be referred to, to ensure initial and transient boundary effects have been
considered and their effect on the TR result minimized.
EQUIPMENT
Thermal Resistivity Test Instruments.
Refer to part 5 of IEEE 442-1981 Guide for Soil Thermal Resistivity Measurements for general
information on test equipment for use on TR testing.
Whilst the determination and analysis of TR can be achieved using relatively simple
equipment, modern instrumentation usually incorporates constant current power sources and
data logging facilities together with computer assistance to output a TR quantum.
Due to the effects of initial transients and edge effects, only those instruments that can
demonstrate to the satisfaction of Ausgrid that these effects have been considered and
eliminated in the determination of TR shall be approved for carrying out TR measurements.
Thermal needle length to diameter ratio shall be no less than: 30:1
The contractor may be required to perform a practical demonstration of the instrumentation
offered and shall be required to provide specifications for the equipment to be used for testing
samples for Ausgrid.
A list of the key equipment expected to be required by Testing Laboratory in carrying out TR
measurements for Ausgrid is provided in Appendix A.
SAMPLE PREPARATION
The preparation and handling of samples has a great influence on the resulting TR.
Due to the relatively small size of commonly prepared samples the scaling effects on mix
tolerances can lead to inaccuracies when specifying delivered quantities.
The measuring tolerances of equipment and methodologies used to prepare samples shall be
suitably controlled to minimize scaling errors.
Appendix K of NS130
< +/- 5%
September 2009
Routine daily calibration checks of balances shall be carried out using known test
weights.
< +/- 1%
50mm
150mm
Routine daily calibration checks of balances shall be carried out using known test weights.
9.1
The positioning of test probes within the samples being prepared is controlled to prevent
movement of the probes during compaction
The density of the compacted material within the sample is consistent throughout the
sample volume.
For these reasons samples must be prepared in controlled layers where the mass of the
material being compacted within each successive layer volume is known. Quality balances
must be used to accurately measure the mass of material used within the layered samples.
Samples shall be taken from site or prepared from ingredients in accordance with AS
1289.1.1.1. When placed in the test cylinder, compaction shall be tested in accordance with
AS1289.5.1.1.
Compaction rates and the densities must be referenced to standards to ensure repeatability in
the field i.e. Standard Proctor Test.
Where a dryout curve is being prepared, moisture content shall be tested at the beginning and
end of tests, as well as at additional points in between. Testing for moisture content shall be in
accordance with the requirements of AS1289.2.1.1.
9.2
FLOWABLE SAMPLES
The collection and treatment of fluidised samples before solidifying can have marked effect on
the TR of the sample under test. The aggregates within these high slump materials (designed
such that they should flow without mechanical vibration) can easily segregate under vibration.
The consistency of the collected sample under test must be representative of the material
installed within the cable trench and for this reason, further movement/vibration caused by
influences such as but not limited to:
Rodding
Transport
should be avoided until the material has solidified to prevent aggregate segregation. Collected
samples are usually best left on site until solidified before transporting to a test laboratory for
further testing.
Appendix K of NS130
September 2009
9.3
10 STORAGE OF SAMPLES
The Test Laboratory shall have in place suitable storage facilities for the preservation and
storage of test samples.
Following final tests, samples are usually discarded, however there may be a requirement for
samples to be stored for a period of time for records and/ or retest either by the Test
Laboratory or by others.
The maximum time samples are required to be stored is: 6 weeks.
For samples to be stored by the Test Laboratory, Ausgrid must issue notice to the Test
Laboratory no less then 2 weeks prior the commencement of testing that samples are to be
stored. At the completion of the storage time the Test Laboratory may discard the samples
unless within the 6 week storage period notice has been given by Ausgrid that prolonged
storage of samples would be required.
The maximum prolonged period of storage (including the initial 6 weeks) shall be 12
weeks.
The minimum volume to be allocated for the storage of samples shall be 24m3
The storage facility shall be in a cool dry place with security and appropriate filing to prevent
the loss and ensure proper identification of samples for the storage period.
At the end of the storage period the Test Laboratory may discard the samples and/or hand
them over to Ausgrid at Ausgrids discretion.
Appendix K of NS130
September 2009
Sieve analysis
Thermal Resistivity in the fully dried out state in Km/W (for materials mixed at the
minimum and maximum site acceptable slump (moisture content) values.
Methods used for the sample preparation and installation to ensure the type test results
are representative of the in field installed materials.
Nominated slump (in the case of fluid type product) to be used on site
Six cylindrical samples nominally 100mmD * 150mm long shall also be provided for inspection
by Ausgrid.
The type test results (including the 28 day compressive strength results) together with work
method statements (WMS) for their installation for controlled thermal bedding together with
samples, shall be provided no less than 6 weeks prior to first installation.
Appendix K of NS130
September 2009
or approved
Work method statements for each of the individual processes being undertaken
Equipment list that positively identifies the equipment used and the accuracy of the
instrumentation provided
14 RIGHT OF ACCESS
Ausgrid reserves the right to witness any testing being carried out on its behalf, whether this
testing is on site or within laboratories.
Ausgrid reserves the right to audit any testing or equipment that may be used for testing
samples on its behalf. The cost of auditing will be to Ausgrid who will provide reasonable
notice to the Test Laboratory for the audit.
15 CONFIDENTIALITY
The Test Laboratory must have in place quality systems to guarantee the confidentiality of
tests carried out on Ausgrids behalf.
Appendix K of NS130
September 2009
16 TYPICAL EQUIPMENT
ITEM
1
EQUIPMENT
TR test
instrumentation
DESCRIPTION / USE
Suitable constant power sources (adjustable) with
temperature/log time data logging facilities.
Output results to be able to be confirmed by graphical output.
Thermal needles
probes
Used for drying out and stage drying samples (at up to 105oC
2.5%) as well as treating soil samples at elevated temperatures
prior disposal in accordance with the NSW department of
agriculture specifications.
Balance and
calibration test
weights
Sieve / shaker -
Standard proctor
compaction hammer
and test cell
Laboratory sample
tubes and
compaction
equipment
10
Measuring cylinder
11
Appendix K of NS130
September 2009