Laboratory development and testing of the thermal probe method, called REKA, for the in situ measurement of thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and convective effects

The purpose of this project was the laboratory development and testing of the thermal probe method for the in situ measurement of thermal conductivity and diffusivity. This method, called REKA (Rapid Evaluation of k and Alpha), has been analyzed in order to evaluate its application potential for field measurements when rockmass effects are present.;Three laboratory test series were conducted using different, controlled conditions in two host test beds. Dry heat conduction and coupled heat conduction-convection tests were conducted in a 3.2 m;The REKA method provided repeatable results under the simulated in situ conditions of the laboratory tests. Results from the dry heat conduction tests compared favorably with steady-state laboratory measurements made on core samples. In addition, the method proved to be sensitive enough to detect the effects of convective heat transport and partial saturation on the thermophysical properties.