Soil temperature at various depths 1

[Lowell92]

I am a mechanical engineer working on a unique thermal problem. I am interested in finding the soil temperature as a function of depth in the southwestern region of the US. I am interested in the first 12 inches of depth. Is there published data of some kind or formula/guideline relating temperature at depth to the surface temperature?

The reason I ask is that I am assuming that several inches down the earth could be considered an infinite heat sink for a small low power dissipation device.

Thanks -

 

[dicksewerrat]

I would guess that the first 12 inches would be at least ambient air temp. Down about 30 feet it is more constant, around 55 degrees F in Minnesota.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com

 

[fattdad]

I work with a mechanical engineer and we discussed the term, "infinate heat sink." It doesn't exist in the ground in the fashion that you are accustom to thinking about it (i.e., like the air). There are some benchmark values for thermal properties of soil. I think I even found some at the Virginia Tech web site - maybe they have a link on geothermal somewhere on their site.

f-d

¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

 

[BigH]

Don't know where it is but check out:

http://www.duanesworld.net/duanesworld.net.sensors.htm

also:

http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/cbd/cbd180_e.html

http://www.ecolo.org/documents/...in.../kasuda-ground-temp-profile.doc

 

[civilperson]

Heat conductivity of soil is a studied property and is used to design underground power cables. The gradient of temperature is also studied with applications to frost depth and geothermal heat sinks (8' - 10' deep for the Midwest soil to assume constant 54 degrees).

 

[rconner]

BigH, thanks for interesting portal (I like the real-time monitoring of system on linked page

http://www.ourcoolhouse.com/monitor/monitor.htm

-- notice present "ground loop" and ambient temperatures)