Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIV
Written by Daniel-Marcel MANOLI, Cristian-Ştefan BARBU, Mihaela-Elena STAN, Manole-Stelian ȘERBULEA, Alina TATOMIR, Oana-Cristina CARAȘCA, Ruxandra-Irina ERBASU, Andrei-Dan SABAU
The thermal properties of loess soil are essential for the distribution of heat generated by electrical cables in wind turbines. In these systems, where high-intensity electrical flow induces conductor heating through the Joule effect, the ability of the soil to facilitate heat transfer has a direct impact on the energy efficiency, operational safety and the durability of the electrical infrastructure, as inefficient thermal diffusion can lead to conductor overheating, affecting electrical resistance, degrading insulation and reducing cable lifespan. This study investigates the effects of density and moisture content on the thermal conductivity of silty soils at different compaction levels. Experimental tests were conducted on loessial soil samples compacted to 85-90% of the maximum dry density determined by the modified Proctor test. All measurements included the determination of dry-out curves to observe the variations of thermal conductivity with a gradual decrease in moisture content. The results indicate an increase in thermal conductivity with higher degree of compaction due to reduced porosity and improved particle contact.
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