Exploring ice content on partially saturated soils using dielectric permittivity and bulk electrical conductivity measurements

Abstract

The present paper explores the use of the measurement of bulk electric conductivity and relative dielectric permittivity during freezing and thawing to estimate the ice content of two different partially saturated soils. The soils (Castelldefels fine sand and Barcelona clayey silt) were prepared at different degrees of saturation and dry densities at room temperature. Different target temperatures were used, which were reached at varying freezing rates and controlled with a thermal bath. Models were used to fit electrical conductivity and relative dielectric permittivity results under full unfrozen liquid and maximum ice conditions. The extension of these models allows estimating ice content on partially saturated soils at different porosities.