Laboratory experimental study of infrared imaging technology detecting the conservation effect of ancient earthen sites (Jiaohe Ruins) in China

As a new kind of inorganic reinforced material, potassium silicate can greatly improve the mechanical strength and the anti-wind erosion ability of ruins' soil in arid areas after being reinforced. The research developed a test device and test method of determining the thermal conductivity of earthen ruins' soil. The disturbed soil taken from the site of Jiaohe Ruins was made into soil specimens, and then, to study the reinforcement effect PS has on the thermal conductivity of ruins' soil by a thermal conductivity determination test and a laboratory model test. Test analysis showed that the thermal conductivity of PS reinforced specimens was reduced, furthermore, the larger the PS concentration, the smaller the thermal conductivity. Because PS decreased the soil's thermal conductivity, the heat transfer process of the reinforced soil was changed, and when external temperature had a change, the PS reinforced soil had a slower response to temperature than the unreinforced soil. From the analysis above, it is known that PS reinforced soil can slow down the physical weathering caused by temperature difference. And this viewpoint provides very useful scientific basis for studying the mechanism of PS and the earthen ruins' soil in northwest China arid regions. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.